November 7 2017:
Around here, we get to it when we get to it. We tick to the tock of our own time. Lillian needed my help to transform the little pie pumpkin into a never ending rainbow. Done!
Never Ending Rainbow Pumpkin
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Category Archives: Musings
Why Do Some People Forget to Use Their Imagination
**THROWBACK POST**
October 24 2013:
A conversation with Thomas about imagination …
Last night he wanted to know why some adults forget how to use their imagination when they grow up? He asked why some adults use the imagination for negative things. He also asked why the imagination was a good thing.
I told him some people are just disconnected from their true selves. Sure he may not grasp what I meant but I choose not to let that stop me from trying to explain things. I also told him EVERYTHING material begins in ones imagination. These items must have first been a thought in someone’s mind. I was holding a fork so I used that as an example. Told him someone had to imagine that fork before it became a material object.
Then I shared the awesome Albert Einstein quote with him about imagination … “Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand.” -Albert Einstein ….
Did I mention how grateful and blessed I am by this young man’s soul being a part of my life? … Overflowing … xoxo
Nature is Imagination Itself
**THROWBACK POST**
October 23 2013:
I was reminded of this quote today while listening to an audio book. This quote so moves me … almost had my eyes sweating driving around this morning!
“The tree which moves some to tears of joy is in the eyes of others only a green thing that stands in the way. Some see nature all ridicule and deformity… and some scarce see nature at all. But to the eyes of the man of imagination, nature is imagination itself.” -William Blake
Ms. Crescent and Mr. Bill – Jack-o-Lanterns and Tiara and Finished Costumes
October 30 2017:
Ms. Crescent and Mr. Bill. …. Now. To figure out how to make a tiara.
October 31 2017:
Finished the tiara! Added bling to the wand also.
The finished creations! Thomas loves creating masks with paper plates. Now we’re home having an encore showing of Arsenic and Old Lace.
Grateful for Real Food With No Artificial Flavors or Dyes and Chance Encounters and Friends
November 1 2017:
Today was grocery day. I am incredibly grateful for real food free of artificial flavors, dyes, and other non-food stuffs. Seriously. Beyond words. And I’m grateful for days when I come home with bags of this beautiful, nature (and farmer) provided bounty! Ahhhhhh ….. xoxo
I have a knack for remembering details and prices when it comes to grocery shopping. Plus, we have many items that I buy on a consistent basis. Also, I am one of those people you see reading the ingredient labels of everything! So, I know if the same or similar item is cheaper or on sale at one of the stores I shop.
Here are the stores: Trader Joe’s for most things … No artificial flavors or dyes in anything .. Although there is corn syrup in some candies (just not high fructose corn syrup). Trader Joe’s seems to have the cheapest organic prices (of the places I shop).
One other item I look for on the packaging at TJ’s is for prepared foods. They seem to have so many that are for microwave cooking and I don’t use a microwave for reheating or cooking. I bought an item once that ONLY had microwave instructions! I improvised and got it cooked; but, now I make sure there are stove or oven directions too. Currently, November 2, 2017, Trader Joe’s organic fresh cranberries are cheaper than Whole Foods.
Whole Foods for other items. Same thing. No artificial flavors or dyes in anything. Some candies have corn syrup but not high fructose corn syrup. We’ll have to see if standards say the same now that Amazon has bought them.
Raleys has a vegan cheese I like so I go there for that and usually get lucky with it being on sale!
I’ve tried Sprouts, but so far I’m not liking it like TJ’s and WF. They have items with artificial flavors and dyes so have to be more diligent with reading labels. Right now their organic russet potatoes are cheaper than TJ’s, but, I didn’t like the flavor or texture or something about it. I do like their Health & Beauty section. Good selection of items. I LOVE the Great Basin Food Co-op downtown but it’s more of a drive.
I’ve been reading labels and memorizing prices for nearly 10 years now! Plus, I have noticed that some prices have increased in the last couple of months after having been the same for years!
November 2 2017:
While volunteering at the library yesterday, Lillian and I ran into the vice-principal from her elementary days. I recognized her but couldn’t remember why I knew her.
She absolutely remembered us and Thomas too! She was so extremely excited to see Lillian volunteering and shelving books. And even more excited when I told her about the upcoming book!
She brought up how she remembers our IEP meetings and how well prepared I always was for them. Lillian’s therapists and resource teacher always commented the same. I owe being ready for that first meeting to Catherine Via Burzio who directed me to the exact resources I needed.
I stayed up past midnight for several nights reading all of it and knew that it all came down to how things were worded. From then on, I just made sure I used words how they wanted them to be used to match regulations.
It went great until fourth grade. That’s when it all fell apart and I decided to make use of other options. I am SO incredibly grateful that IEP is no longer something I have to prepare for or be concerned with.
November 3 2017:
Love this memory from five years ago Kimberly Phipps-Nichol!! It’s been about ten years since we first met! I’m so blessed by your love and am so incredibly happy for your joy, happiness, and success! xoxo
November 3 2012: Today I am grateful that you and I met in 2007 and became friends. I am thankful for you and our beautiful friendship. As we count down the one week left before you make your move to Houston, please know I feel so awesomely blessed for our closeness. I will miss you dearly …. Yet, I know this will be an amazing part of your journey and an exciting adventure!!! I TREASURE the connection we have my sweet friend … See you in a few hours for your going away party!!! (Picture from December 2011)
Pretty Vegetable and Squash Soup and The Romano Duo and Haircut and Dark Chocolate Pears
October 22 2017:
What veggie are we having with dinner? It’s so pretty! Here’s a hint: My hands are stained purple, not red.
October 24 2017:
Butternut squash soup for dinner last night …. So easy and so good!
October 26 2017:
The Romano Duo left this morning with all their belongings that have been in storage for two years. They are headed to make their new house in Surprise, Arizona into their Home.
We enjoyed this fun and quick visit with them and look forward to visiting them in the new home once they get settled in and make it their own. Not to mention getting to go swimming!!
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October 26 2017:
Thank you Roger for the gift of a haircut for Thomas. He is incredibly grateful to be free of so much hair.
October 27 2017:
Spur of the moment dessert tonight … Sea Salt Dark Chocolate Pear …. Bosc pear with melted dark chocolate, drizzled with local honey, and sprinkled with sea salt. Good gosh! That was good!
October 28 2017:
Just love the variety of squash this time of year. Kabocha squash soup with fresh ginger, garlic, and sweet onion. Ginger paired with this was heavenly!
It Made a Spark Go Off in My Mind
**THROWBACK POST**
October 21 2013:
Lillian was creating artwork yesterday … Her piece is the index card abstract art. She titled it “A Jolly Painting”.
A few minutes later I noticed Thomas had joined her. He said “When I saw Lillian making art it made a spark go off in my mind and I had to make some too!” His are titled “The Colors Joining” and “Triangles of Color”. It was beautiful to watch the magic of inspiration! ♡
Turning Scrapes and Holes Into Sparkles
**THROWBACK POST**
October 15 2013:
These two awesome little people I know gave me a beautiful gift last night. Thomas and Lillian were playing in the backyard yesterday afternoon when Thomas got a bit too rough pulling her around and she fell. She scraped her foot and tore a hole in her brand new pants that she adores … cause they *sparkle*!!
She was pretty upset with him and he was upset that he did that and upset that he has to be so gentle with her since she falls easily. After I got her calmed down I went outside to check on him. He said he wanted to pay to buy her a new pair of pants. I told him they cost $9 and he said “Awww, that will take all my money.”
He then asked if he could pay for 1/2 of the cost. I told him that sounded fabulous. He went in and apologized to Lillian and told her of his idea. About an hour later they got together in Thomas’ bedroom, happy with one another again, and each wrote and drew something in this card for me. I think the three of us are a perfectly matched trio! xoxo
One Month of Volunteering at South Valleys Library
October 12 2017:
It’s been a month for Lillian and I volunteering at South Valleys Library – every Wednesday for 2 hours. She is getting more and more comfortable.
Yesterday I had her push the cart and she re-shelved a few books without my help. Go Lillian Darnell Go!!
Pretending to be Tourist
**THROWBACK POST**
October 9 2014:
Took Rosey to get her flat tire repaired and had the tires rotated while we were there. Instead of sitting in the waiting room for an hour and a half we pretended to be tourists.
Walked to Grand Sierra and had only enough time to sit by the driving range for a few minutes, go inside and use the restroom, collect some yummy smelling honeysuckle from outside and then head back to Rosey. It was perfect! She still needs her belts fixed but she’s hanging in there!
