"Grief can take care of itself, but to get the full value of a joy you must have somebody to divide it with." - Mark Twain

Hmmmmmmm....I need to think about this one a bit. 

We lost a family member (second cousin) last week.  She was young (41 y/o I think).  Breast cancer was the culprit.  This is a picture of Dawn, her daughter, Megan, and husband of many years, Greg. 

This is the last picture I have of her which was taken 3 years ago.  She has gone to be with the Lord, and is no longer suffering in her body of torment.  Her family is still suffering great grief and will be for some time.  We were not close to Dawn geographically, but were close to her Mom, Grandpa & ma, her Uncle, & Aunt years ago.  It is a closeness that remains even after years of time have passed without much contact.  It is true, the former closeness of the past causes their loss right now to be felt by us.   

Dawn lost a brother many years ago at the age of 14.  I imagine they are rejoicing together right now.  This is just a temporary separation.  If we know Him, to whom to know is Life.... we shall all be together forevermore.  Our tears will be wiped away... and we will have joy everlasting. 

"Thou must be emptied of that wherewith thou art full, that thou mayest be filled with that whereof thou art empty." - Saint Augustine of Hippo (354-430AD) Numidian-born Theologian

Is this talking about eating?  Where is Hippo?   

Here is a picture of Sharalee baking cookies!  They were oatmeal, chocolate chip cookies.  I have seen her carrying one on the back, one on the front and one by her side. (Not cookies, silly... kids!)  

Today we (Sharalee & I) have been talking about pure hearts and how.... without which, one cannot see God... "Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God".  We were specifically addressing how what appears to be "pure" to us looking from without is based on our world conditioning.  In other words years ago to say the word "butt" was not considered nice, however today it is widely accepted.  If one grew up with "butt" being an acceptable word, then he/she could have a "pure" heart and still freely use that word.  So if a person from the way past looked upon him/her today... they would "judge" such a one as impure of heart. 

Then we moved on to asking the Lord to bring renewed conviction on us, lest we become worldly in what is acceptable to us.  And when should we kindly, and in love, reprove our brother/sister for their lax use of certain words.  For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks....  It was a good discussion... and made me once again return to the knowledge that man truly looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart. 

Well, that is what is going on around here today... lunch with a friend.  Lots of work to do.  Thanks so much, once again, for your sharing and your personal comments. 

Well, it has been a spell since I have written in here.  Fortunately for me, you guys haven't been as unproductive in the writing arena as me.  I do have lots to write about too.... but have you ever noticed when you have lots to write about, you usually don't have lots of time to write? 

We had a new baby on Sunday morning at 2:07 AM.... so the count in this house right now is 8 kids under 8 years old... no twins... just two sets of parents to produce so many.  The count in the house of persons is now 16.  WOW, what a group.  The newest is little Anne Marie.

The house building projects are moving along.  Greg & Jen, along with a new baby, are getting their siding put on by someone else, and it is kind of nice to go to your paying job and come home to major improvements to your home.  Looks like a possible April/May move in date... or June!   

Sharalee & Curtis are pretty much finished with their wiring and Curtis started a huge other house today... 6,000 sq foot.  He is doing the framing on that one.  So his home is not getting anything new done at the moment. 

Ok... I am rambling.... so I will shut my pie hole for now.  I wish I had some pie! 

Well, GOOD MORNING!!!  How the heck are ya?  I am feeling a little feisty this morning.  Good thing you are keeping your distance! 

"Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life." - Immanuel Kant    So what do you think of this little quote?  I am still thinking about it... will let you know.

Today is coffee with a friend.  I sure miss work, work at the doctor's office.  I miss my friends there.  They seem to be more distant from me now, and I am not sure why... but maybe the boss' orders to not have contact with me has affected them.  I try to remember how it was for me when other people left the office.  Usually with some hard feelings....  Some of them would come back and try to get things from us, like free drug samples. 

Thinking I better get around... am recording a couple old Cary Grant movies today and the orders are coming in to the Frater Factory pretty fast now.  I did read everyone's blogs this morning.  It is so very nice that you guys share your lives this way.  I appreciate you!!! 

"Life is a tragedy for those who feel, and a comedy for those who think." - Jean De La Bruyere

I think this quote is true, and not true, depending on how you look at it! 

I have discovered this new thing to do for breakfast.  It works real good for my hubby and it is very tasty and easy and nutrious (ok, well it ain't got no sugar in it.... ok, at least I don't add any sugar).  Here goes:

Place a small skillet on a hot fire, place a pat of butter in it, melt to cover bottom of pan.  (Can start frothing milk for latte at this time) Crack eggs into skillet (I use four), break yokes, sprinkle freshly ground pepper, & bacon bits (real ones, not the fake stuff) on top.  Put a scant amount of water in the pan lid, and let it run into the skillet around the edges, cover with lid.  (Check frothing milk)  Now, it is time to turn the stove off and just let it set, while you go start some toast.  (Frothed milk should be done by now - start your espresso shots) Toast pops up so lightly butter it, then put a slice of pepperjack cheese on the top of the eggs, put lid back on.... (add hot frothed milk to the take along cup with three shots of espresso).... perfect.... now slip one or two eggs (I use two for Tom's/one for mine) between the slices of toast.... wrap bottom half in a paper towel (to catch any drips).... voila!  A delicious, breakfast to go. 

The bacon cooks into the egg and sits securely there... and the melted pepperjack and toast is, well... delicious..Mmmmmmmmm!  You're just gonna have to try it for yourself.  Tom likes it cause he feels he has had a good breakfast, it is hot, he can eat it easily while driving to work.  Let me know what you think....

Well, work is mounting up.... better get to doing!  Reading Matthew 17 today.  Blessings.........

My husband is home today!!!  Yeah!    The only downside is that I looked forward to it, and now it is here, and it soon will be over! 

Today is the game between the Redskins & Seahawks..... everyone is watching it here with pizza and kettle corn!    FUN!!!

Tom & Steve are under the house... and we don't have a basement either!    They are wiring for a back surround speaker.  It seems the old tuner Kenwood, very expensive, unit died a couple of days ago.... so I went to Costco, prayed and brought home something pretty cheap and so far it isn't too bad.  We will see after the new wiring takes place. 

It is raining here and has been for the last couple of days.  Not like Seattle area though... no mudslides here... we can use the water in this area.    I wonder what kind of Spring/Summer we are gonna have?

Well, I have gabbed enough for today... talk to you all soon!  Keep gabbing back at me.  I love it!

Well, el' nasty neighboro.... has left the area.  At least temporarily.  I kind of wondered if he had landed himself in a mental facility.  If so, I would be very glad... as I truly believe he is in need of such care and I might ramble on to also say that I am not alone in my belief's.  However, it is probably more likely that he has taken a job in Mississippi or something. 

"When dealing with the insane, the best method is to pretend to be sane." - Hermann Hesse (1877-1962) German-born Swiss Novelist & Poet   I think I saw this once in a movie.... and possibly in my life too!

Keep writin' dear family and friends....  love to hear from you and about you. 

It is only four months and one week until tax day.  I had better start getting ready today. 

Thought for the day:  "Beware the fury of a patient man." - John Dryden   Which reminds me that it is "tribulation that worketh patience" according to the scriptures.  Boy I must be getting real patient real soon. 

Ok... so it has been a while since I wrote.  Too much happening too fast!  Or at least that is my excuse this time, or did I use it last time too?

No longer working for the doctor.  He is upset with me.  If you could only see things from my perspective... well if he could I would probably still be working there.  I have worked for him off & on for the last 17 years. 

Lots of work to do in the Frater Factory.  Working on a new church directory.  We have grown so much as a body of believers and so it is a fairly large job..... besides listing all the kids, there are cell phones, and e-mail addresses. 

Our nasty neighbor is up to his same ol' tactics again.  Lie, lie, lie..... threaten... demand... lie some more.  It has come to the place where we feel we must get an anti-harassment/no contact order against him.  He is only in his forties and he did the same thing to a family in his old neighborhood.  We have tried forgiving him, understanding him, reasoning with him, ignoring him, hiring a lawyer to deal with him.. which worked but was very expensive.  It is a nuisance but he leaves us no choice.

Will try to write more in a short time.  Love you all.........