Status

If I could list multiple statuses for Facebook today, it would look something like this:

Angela Brandel Gifford

1. is thrilled that her husband will be an Assistant Pro at Black Rock in a few weeks!
2. found out that her health is somewhat of a ticking time bomb and needs to get her rear in major gear.
3. finally decided a name for her book...maybe that means it can be published soon. LOL!
4. is glad her children love the kitchen, even when they spill 1/2 a bottle of vanilla and coat every inch of counter top with powdered sugar.
5. is so encouraged as a parent after parent-teacher conferences today.
6. is so proud o the way her boys shine their light for Jesus at school.
7. is preparing for a steady diet of flax and lettuce for the next six weeks.
8. enjoyed being a fairy princess for 1/2 a day.
9. just finished previewing the movie "Pride" with Bill, and though we really enjoyed it, won't be showing it to the boys.
10. really wants to buy the house that is for sale right across the street from Sorensen - even though the porch is collapsing.
11. is SO glad that God loves me not matter what, and is merciful and gracious no matter how much I upset other people!

Code Adam

I was at Wal-Mart Saturday completely by myself and somewhere between a whole bag of pears breaking on me in the produce department, resulting in all my pears rolling all over the floor and my case of root beer breaking on me as I lifted it onto the checkout counter, resulting in twelve cans of root beer rolling under the candy counter, I had quite an emotional experience.

I was headed towards the shoe department when that bone chilling announcement came over the load speakers: "Attention all employees! Code Adam! Four year old boy. Spider man shoes. Brown hair. Red shirt." The message repeats, and I'm already glancing every which direction. Flashbacks to losing Riley at Silver Dollar City and in the neighborhood after dark and a few other places are darting through my head. I'm remembering how scary it was, and knowing that there is a parent at the front of the store who is probably scared out of their wits.

But that isn't what got me choked up. As I was glancing around, I noticed something I've never seen before. Wal-mart employees. Well, o.k., I've seen them, but you never see one when you need one. Suddenly, they were everywhere! Every employee in that store immediately stopped what they were doing and began to hunt. They were looking down aisles, under racks, in shelves...anywhere a four year old boy might be. You never saw so much blue and khaki in one place! I was starting to think there were more employees than customers. Every single one of them was intent and taking the "code" seriously. Nothing else mattered, but to find the little boy with the spider man shoes. It literally choked me up.

...and then I began to think....isn't that what we should all be doing? Jesus has called out to us as believers: "Code Adam! Every man and woman in this world that still needs me. They live next door to you. They work with you. They are all ages, shapes, sizes, and occupations. Their common denominator? They are still lost!" Can you even imagine what it would be like if we all dropped what we were doing, unified our army, and intently, relentlessly sought after the ones that were lost?

My Wal-mart story had a happy ending. After about three minutes, the voice came again: "Attention, Wal-mart employees! Code Adam canceled." Everyone sighed a deep sigh of relief and went back to work.

But our code won't be canceled until Jesus comes back. We can't relax. We can't stop looking, pursuing, and helping to unite the lost children with their Father.

I left deeply moved.....and let me tell you, after retrieving the case of Sprite that tumbled out of my cart in the parking lot, you can bet I guarded the 25 lb bag of rice with my life!

Bill's Surgery

Bill's surgery went very well. This time, they let me know that it would take about an hour and a half, and if it took longer, not to worry. This time, they told me ahead of time, that they would bring me back to a consult room when he was done. This time, I had a laptop and Wifi to occupy my brain.

They cut a cyst out of his leg that was about 10 cm x 3 cm. Huge! The doc said it was another first for him. This time, he tied and cauterized some things, hoping that Bill won't have this happen again, though there isn't a real guarantee.

He is in quite a bit more pain this time. I reminded him today that last time, he didn't have much feeling in his leg because of the nerve damage.

Thanks for your prayers!

Running!

Have you ever had one of those dreams where you spend your whole dream trying to get somewhere, and never did get there?

Well, I had a real-live day like that yesterday. It started the night before, actually. I had worked a ten hour day trying to get ahead for the rest of the week, knowing that today I'd be off some for Bill's surgery. I've been so focused on Ian's birthday party, Bill's surgery, and getting work taken care of, that I forgot the one thing on Ian's mind.

"Mom! Tomorrow, I get to take snack for the WHOLE class because its my birthday!"

Oh, yeah. Didn't even think about that minor detail. Thankfully, his requested for frosted brownies, had been prepared for ahead of time by the Lord (who is always watching out for me). There just happened to be brownie mix in the cellar WITH frosting in the box!! Yipee!

So we made them, frosted them, and covered them with sprinkles.

However, yesterday morning was crazy. I had staff meeting in Athol, and I needed to load several bins of returned products, my laptop, get lunches made, breakfast on, everyone ready and out the door. I managed to pull it off...however, without breakfast for myself, my meds, or COFFEE.

I knew I was going to need gas before the day was over, but was sure I could make it to Athol before filling up and be at work on time.

After dropping everyone off at school, I headed from downtown Coeur d'Alene to the far north end of town to head out to Athol. A quick glance to the right, caused me to realize that that famous pan of brownies was still sitting in the van! So, I had to turn around and head all the way back downtown. When I dropped them back off at the school, the teacher asked me if I was coming back at 3:00 to celebrate. Now realizing that my trip back downtown was pointless because I could have brought the brownies back at 3:00.

Now I needed gas. I wasn't going to make it anywhere....and I really needed Coffee. After filling up, I headed back out to Athol and called in an order to a local coffee shop, so I could pick it up on the way. When I got there, they were just starting it!!

I was 1 hour and 15 minutes late to work! Now, I only had two and a half hours to get my work done...which meant I would be working late that night after a fundraising event and before the morning of Bill's surgery.

So, I rushed back to be back at Ian's class in time for his "birthday party." I ran in five minutes late and the teacher sweetly glared at me, requesting I never do this to a teach again (bring a messy snack and forget a spatula). She didn't mean it harshly at all, but I had to hold myself together. It was almost the straw that broke the camel's back!

After heading to Figpickel's to pick out a birthday gift and getting Hayden from school, we headed home to do homework, eat, etc. I made several phone calls. "I won't be at church tomorrow night. I'll be taking care of Bill." "I'm sorry, we won't make it to home group tonight, we need to support this fundraiser." "Can you please take our kids to church tomorrow night?"

Then we headed off. I was feeling very overwhelmed for what still had to be done and what I had on my plate. I was feeling guilty for missing home group and guilty for not having a gift for Ian before his birthday and not remembering to make cupcakes. We stopped by Costco to pick up a picture to scan on a cake. We stopped at Safeway to order the cake. The kids were all griping that we were going to be late to Skate Plaza where the fundraiser was being held.

.....and then the best moment of the day! We walked into Skate Plaza to the fundraiser for Clayton's discipleship group to go on a mission trip. I bumped into a lady from our home group on the way in and joked about how I caught her! We were both playing hookey!

Then we got in the doors, and I saw Faye and Brian and Marti and Christina and Breann...and on and on. Our whole home group had decided to cancel the regular group and come to support the fundraiser and surprise us! I was surprised! and felt so loved and supported. It was really fun to sit and chat with so many people, and skate with my kids. They were so cute. We did the conga, and held hands and went under legs, and did the chicken dance, etc.

Another Funny
Hayden (talking to me): I had a dream last night that there were two of you. I had two mommies!

Me: Well, that would be a little silly. But I guess if there were two of me, one of me could go to work and one of me could play with you and read stories.

Hayden: (big grin) ...and the one that reads the stories would be the real you!

Ian, the Hulk

For the first time ever, I'm ordering a cake for one of my kids' birthdays. I decided that I wasn't going to stress myself with Bill's surgery being this week too. So we're doing one of those cakes where you can put a photo on top. We've been editing and playing with a photo.

Conversations with Ian

When I told him I was ready to help him make some juggling balls....."Whew! Finally! I've been waiting for this moment for years!"

"Mom, when I laid down, my nose started running. One nozzle got unclogged, and then the other nozzle plugged up."

Ian: Mom, you are growing a mustache.
Me: Really? (knowing I occasionally get some dark ones. blush.) Are there some dark ones in there?
Ian: No, they are all white.
Me: Well, everybody has little hairs on their lip.
Ian: No, they don't.
Me: You do.
Ian: Well, I'm a boy. You totally have hair there. You are totally getting a mustache.

"Mom! I found a murdered ant!" A few minutes later..."Mom, I grabbed its butt and I grabbed its head, and I pulled it a part and gooey stuff like caramel came out, but I know it was really ant puke!"

Moon Rising

I love it when the moon is so ginormous that you can literally watch it rise.

Did you ever think of yourself as a moon? Did you know that if you are a believer, you analogous to the moon? Because what does the moon do? It reflects the light of the sun (Son).

Don't you think it is beautiful when Christ's reflection, the bride of Christ is so prominent and obvious that the world can watch it rise? I bet He does.

I want my blankie!

Today has been one of those days....when you are questioning lots of stuff and feeling a bit mopey. Nothing major. Things like: Why does it have to snow in March? Why do women have women problems? Why are some people prone to large cysts in their appendages? Why can't I motivate myself to exercise?

No worries. It isn't anything that couldn't be fixed by a day in my jammies on the couch with a pile of chick flicks. But THAT isn't going to happen any time soon. So I settled for a day in my jammies on the couch while I worked - and then a hot shower with chocolate body wash.

Almost better.

More Hats

So, I found some new websites to drool over:



Vintage Hatbox

Amber's Attic

1860-1960's Hats

Vintage Hattery

Bonnie's Treasures

ACE is the place!

I took some time off work this morning to go with Bill to see the surgeon again. He had another MRI last week to investigate a large lump in his leg, close to where the cyst was removed in August. It is indeed another cyst. This one, however, is not wrapped all up in the nerves. It is in the muscle sheeth. So it is causing discomfort, but not horrible pain or function loss. The surgeon would like to operate as soon as possible and take out the cyst. He would also like open up the joint to look for the source of the recurring cysts and see if something needs "sealed off" in some way. We appreciate your prayers. As if life wasn't complicated enough, I *just* switched Bill over to my insurance to avoid the high COBRA premiums. So we have a bit of complications to muddle through and many phone calls to make....and I anticipate many hours on hold.

Tonight, we went to Clayton's school for a very fun event. The kids in his class have been working on scrapbooks for the last couple of months that had to do with the Yukon Territory during gold rush days. They had to write stories based on history. Some wrote about real people, and filled in missing gaps with fiction. Some wrote of fictional characters, simply based around history. They each had a treat at their tables (brownies, "gold" coins, etc.). In order to take a treat from their table, you had to listen their story. They all did such a great job. It was really funny to see the differences though. For example...

Boys: Our guys were best friends and they were working together and one of them got shot, so the other guy ran over him with the dog sled.

Girls: They found gold, and were so excited so they decided to have a baby! ...and her best friend had a baby, and their babies grew up to be best friends!

Boys: Our guy was a mountie and he went after the criminals and one of them pinned him down , pointed a gun in his face, and asked if he had any last words. But he kicked the guys legs out and reversed the move and told the other guy he didn't get any last words.

Girls: My story is about a sled dog who found a male sled dog, and they fell in love and had puppies, but the puppies died and so the male dog left because that's what guys do, so she finally found an owner that loved her and she lived happily ever after.

Boys: My story is about a sled dog he ate his master's gold nugget.

Girl: This story is about a woman who worked hard by herself and fell in love and got married and her husband shot her in the back and killed her, and the other man that had always loved her founded a national park in her honor and built a monument her with his poetry inscribed on it.

Boys: Our story is about some merchants, and some miners robbed their store, and they learned not to do it again because the merchants had better guns than they did.

Girls: She got married and had a baby, then they were robbed, and her husband died. But she remarried and had seven more kids, and lived happily ever after.

I could go on, but I just found it so interesting how, just like everything I've been studying, the girls' stories focused around love and relationships....and the boys stories focused on fighting for a cause and being a hero. It was really cute!

ACE is the place! I went to ACE today, and found almost all the hardware I needed....with a very helpful girl leading me (and my little circus side show) all over the store to find everything. Ian and Hayden were having great fun!

Mom and Dad Movies

Last night, Bill and I watched a good movie, and it got me thinking about the "adult" movies we've enjoyed in recent months.

August Rush
Facing the Giants
The Visitor
Expelled
The Final Inquiry

Also wanted to mention a few I forgot the other night that we have really enjoyed with the kids:

City of Ember
The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey
Horton Hears a Who

Last night, we enjoyed Fireproof - a great marriage movie that leaves you with no choice but to make a decision or two as a result. It is based around a book called The Love Dare by Alex and Stephen Kendrick. I would love to know if anyone has done the 40 day love dare. I'd love to talk to you about your experience. E-mail me if you'd like, instead of posting here.

I also found Christian Cinema.com tonight. It looks a lot like Netflix, but with Christian/faith-based films. Anyone tried it?

A Girl in a Hardware Store

I've been trying really hard to spend some time in my weekends to do something creative and crafty. I have two projects going right now. A suede hat and jacket and swedish shades for the kitchen.

Every now and then there comes a time when the world of crafts and the world of hardware must collide. Today was one of those days. So off I went after dalrods and wooden slats, screws, hooks, and eye srews, cleets, and brass rings. The dalrods were easy. They had the exact size I needed - and even the exact length. The slats not so easy, I finally settled for an 8 foot 1x2, even though my directions called for a 1-1/2 x 3/4. After finding someone to help me muddle through the screw aisle, I discovered that I could get brass hooks, but not brass eyes....and I could get silver cleets, but not brass cleets....and that the board I was buying was indeed a 3/4x 2", but they just call it a 1", even though it is really 3/4". After all of that, he directed me to the area of the store that dealt with custom window treatments to ask for the cord pulls and brass rings. When I asked they guy there about those things, he give me a condescending look and let me know that those are the kinds of things you find at a craft store, ya know, like Michaels. So I proceeded to check out where I found out that the tag on the shelf that said (1x2x8') meant that the price was per foot - even though the price tag said how long it was....and that even though the tag said it was 8' long, it was really 9 -1/2 feet long because they want to make sure you have a little extra - but the little extra isn't free, mind you. You still get to pay for the extra footage, since you are paying by the foot.....and I'm sure this makes perfect sense to those who buy lumber on a daily basis - but not this girl in the hardware store!

So....off I go to Michaels where I feel more at home, but I soon discover that they don't carry anything for window treatments. At. All. They recommended I try a fabric store. So....off I go to JoAnn's, where I am really at home. But they only have clear plastic cleets, and white plastic rings, and white plastic drapery pulls.....which is exactly what I was looking for. NOT!

So, I came home with about 1/2 the supplies I needed...and I'm not highly motivated to go back out again.



So here is a project I finished recently out of washed, wool felt.