I Figured it Out!!

I finally figured it out!!!!!!!!! I was determined to not leave this computer til I figured how to file these pictures on this program, and low and behold, I did it. Now if I can just remember how I did!!
So here's what I've been up to!



Last Saturday, my sisters, our friend (adopted sister) Nancy, and I went to Hamtramck, a polish town about an hour from home. We make the yearly trip to get the supplies to make psanky eggs, a tradition for the past 17 years. These are pictures of the display windows at this fantastic little store, loaded with polish pottery, linens, candies, jewelry, all from Poland.
Then Sunday, my sister Kathy and I went to Mikado, the little town in the northern lower penninsula, to visit my brother Jay and my sister-in-law Cheryl. If you're a regular reader, you know my brother makes his living teaching primitive skill/native americans workshops. He also built a log cabin on their property nestled in the national forest. The cabin was built the old fashioned way, he harvested the trees, stripped the bark, and used no modern electric tools to do it. The results are amazing! I'm so proud of him!


On Monday night, we all gathered in the dining room with our craft projects and had the nicest time sharing our talents, and creating .
Cheryl, Kathy and I did quilting, and Jay worked on a 4 ft. replica of a canoe, built just as theIndians did. You can go to his website to also see the full canoe he builds, and his other skills.
These are 2 of the ash baskets he made, he pounds the wood himself into the strips to weave, and twine is actually made from deer tendon. If you haven't yet, be sure to click on the above to visit his website. Details on building the cabin, the canoes, and other skills are all there!
We had such a nice time, I can't wait for the next trip north!

AARGHH!!

I have a new computer. And it's driving me nuts!! I really want to post pictures of what I've been up to, but this computer won't let me put my pictures into files so I can browse and put them in my posts! It's driving me crazy! So as soon as I figure this out, I'll be sharing more.

A Very Sweet and Special Gift!

Tonight I received this beautiful doll from my sister Wendy.  Click on the picture to see the detail in the stitching she used to embellish her.  She did such a beautiful job on her, the embroidery, the painted face, I’ll cherish her forever Wendy, thank-you!

Me Monday

TO MY DEAREST FRIENDS. I'M SO GLAD I FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS!

The correct way to weigh yourself


I can't believe that I was doing it wrong all these years!
WE MUST SPREAD THE WORD.

So ladies! Did you take your "me time" today!? I went for a very long drive in the country with my little pom Chip. Unfortunately, I can't get my pictures to download on to my new laptop! I still have to figure out a few things on here, but my other computer I would just right click and save my pictures to whatever file. I can't do that with this one! But anyway, we had such a nice time, driving through the hills and seeing signs of life coming back. There were a lot of people walking their dogs, which I probably should have done instead of taking him for a ride! What did you do today?

I keep asking myself...

What would Jesus do? I know he would say "forgive him and move on." I try. Really, I try. After all, he is a man of the cloth, a pastor, a man of God. He is the Pastor of my mother's church, formerly my church. At this point in my life, I can't even enter that church. What would cause me to be so bitter and unforgiving? I've had many issues with this man, but this is what broke the camel's back.
My father died in March of 2005. Dad gave his all to this church. He was in charge of the sound for the radio broadcast on Sunday morning, he was there to record the sound for all church events, weddings, funerals, baptisms, etc. The fee for his services was always given back to the church, he never kept a dime. He was a deacon for many years, headed up the puppetry program for Sunday School and special events, wrote the scripts, spent hours on sound. He never missed church except when ill, and tithed every dime brought into the house. He was a true man of God.
When there are funerals, the Mission Guild and the ladies of the church would put on a pot luck meal for the families after burial services, as I'm sure most churches do. It's a mission, and a biblical call to take care of widows and their families. When this pastor took over the helm, he saw funeral luncheons as a way to line his pocket. I was at the council meeting, ( I was council secretary) when he brought up charging the widow-widowers $3 a head for the luncheon. I strongly objected, and was told this wouldn't be for faithful members of the congregation, but for those outside the church using this service. Still not totally on board, the resolution passed.
When my father died, I was shocked to find out that my Mother would have to pay $300 for the funeral luncheon. Against my better judgement, the family agreed. Mom didn't have that kind of money, and the tab was picked up by the grandsons. After the luncheon, NO leftovers were given to the family. Some was given to each helper to take home. Instead, this pastor SOLD the leftovers of the food we payed for, to the Wednesday night supper. Wonderful Wednesdays as they are called, have dinner that costs $3. So, he made double the money on my father's funeral. Does this money go back to the church!? Absolutely not! It goes into his pocket. He buys the meat, the ladies of the congregation bring food and dessert. His argument? It costs more than $3 to go out to dinner.
So here is my complaint. We aren't talking about a casual night out to dinner. We're not talking entertainment. We are talking about a mission to take care of widows after the death of a spouse. I thought this was just that, a mission. Not a chance to take advantage of a family in a time of tragedy to line pockets.
Can someone out here explain to me where this is right? What is the procedure at your church? Can this be justified or am I unnecessarily upset? Please talk to me. This is swallowing me up and has been for 5 years. It's effecting my prayer life, my health, and with the anniversary of Dad's death on the 12th, it's all come to surface. My mother is sorry I feel this way. I'm sorry she doesn't.

Furry Friends Friday! TOPS! March Fourth Party!!!

Or not so furry friends! This is Andy, my sphynx mix, sitting in the window behind the curtain. Any sunlight he can get on his little bare body is most welcome!

Today was our TOPS meeting, and I was very honored to be nominated and elected chapter co-leader! I'm doing good with my loses, and will report my milestones as I accomplish them. I don't want to jinx myself by reporting every loss, I always seem to set myself up for failure that way. I will say though, that I a close to my first milestone! I love this group of ladies, the support is wonderful.
My sister Wendy has started a tradition in our family, of celebrating March 4th, the only day of the year that is a command. On this day, we celebrate with one of her fun parties! Our family and family friend Nancy get together to celebrate, and we have a riot! These are her foot sugar cookies. We also had foot long subs and Barefoot Wine! (Yes this really is a brand of wine!)
Her husband Dan made a "table runner",

and made a matching shoe print border that went around the dining room.

We had a whimsical sock contest, Mom won with her classy "Betty Boop" socks!

We played Hangman, all the words had to do with feet. This one was 'hammertoe". All the prizes for the games were foot things. My sister Kathy won for Best Foot in Mouth story. We had such a great time! Thanks Wendy, your second annual March 4th was a riot, and I can't wait to see what you come up with next year!!
My husband Ken with his "foot in mouth"

And Now For Something Completely Different!!

O.K. my blog friends, I am going to put a challenge out to you, and hope to see some of you sign up! On Monday, March 8th, I am asking that for 1 to 3 hours at some point of the day, you put away the cell phones, turn off the t.v., put away the i pods, and anything else electronic, and spend those hours doing something for yourself. The only technology you will be allowed is a camera. So whatever it is that you do with that time, document it. Then, on the 9th, post a blog about your "me time" day. Be creative! This time is strictly for you! To participate, leave a comment, so we'll know who's blogs to visit. Are you with me!?