A LOVELY BLESSING & THREE AWARDS

Our good neighbor, and friend, Wayne, brought us not one, but three, Rose of Sharon cuttings. Here Mickey is holding up the two smaller pink blossom ones.
This is the large white bloosom one after Mickey got it planted.

I have recently been blessed with three awards that I am just now getting around to acknowledging.

This is the first time this has ever happened to me, but I cannot remember who gave me this Beacon Of Hope Award. I feel so ashamed and terrible about that. Please forgive me for my forgetfulness but thank you so very much for blessing me with this award. It especially meant a lot to receive it because of the name, Beacon Of Hope. If you read this blog and remember it was YOU please leave me a comment so I can acknowledge you properly.

This Brillante Weblog award came from my sweet friend, and fellow prayer warrior, Michelle, of Ozarks Sew N Sews. I received this award August 9th. Every time I see the name of her blog, Ozarks Sew N Sew, I marvel at the appropriate and oh so cute name!!! Thank you so much Michelle. You are always an encourager to me and your sweetness is a true blessing to many of us in blogland.

This sweet I Heart Your Blog was received yesterday from Melinda, The Nest Egg. Thank you so very much Melinda. This one especially meant a lot to me because Melinda is a fairly new reader of Penless. Melinda can teach ALL of us a lot about couponing so be sure and visit her blog.

MEME - 6 Random Things About Me

I have been tagged by Tiffany of Southern Sass to do the 6 Random Things About Me ..meme.

Here are the rulz of the game...1. Link to the person who ‘tagged’ you!2. Post the rules on your blog!3. List 6 random facts about yourself!4. Tag 6 people at the end of your post!5. Let each person know they have been tagged by commenting on their blog!6. Let the tagger know the entry is posted on your blog!

I have posted so many things about myself it is going to be hard to find 6 more random things about me but I'll try.

1. When I was growing up in Santa Fe, NM it was about 85% hispanic. I was surrounded by the Spanish language and had every opportunity to learn and even took a class in school and yet never learned to speak Spanish. Mickey & I took a Spanish class at the Church we attended in 2003 and I really studied and worked at it but could not retain it. This is one of the regrets of my life.

2. I am one who takes very little medicine and therefore the slightest bit makes me talk really silly. When my first child was born I had a very long labor, over 30 hours, and by the time she finally came I was completely "out" from the gas they gave me. Consequently in rolling me from the delivery table, to the cart, to the bed I was sort of tangled in the sheets. Upon coming to in my room one of the first things I said was, "I feel like a mummy not a mommy!" Remember, I am just 12 days shy of being 17 years old!!!

3. I have lived in 4 states NM, CA, CO, OK and have been blessed to travel in all 50 states. The order of living in these 4 states has been: NM, CA, NM, CA, CO, OK, NM, OK.

4. Oklahoma has a very large Indian population and is home to the 7 civilized tribes. When we first moved here in 1964 the schools would have the children fill out a report whether they had any Indian blood in them. For about 3 years straight our young daughters, who were 9 & 8 when we moved here, would come home saying, "Are you SURE we don't have any Indian blood in us?". They felt slighted that they didn't.

5. I have never been concerned about growing older. I am sure this is because of having such a wonderful, energetic father who was 52 years old when I was born. I think growing older is an honor and something that should be done gracefully and without shame or regret. I think our society has been sold a bill of goods, mostly by the advertising industry, that aging is something to be dreaded or denied. I try to disspell this notion every chance I get. Like here!!!!! Even the Bible says " "The hoary (gray) head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness." Proverbs 16:31

6. I have worshiped and been active in 9 different "denominations" over my lifetime: Disciples of Chirst, Southern Baptist, Independant Baptist, Bible Church, Vineyard Fellowship, 3 Non-denominational- Oasis of Love, Church on the way, Our Finest Hour and now attend Assembly of God. I am thankful God has seen fit to do this in my life because it has given me a picture of the True Church which is made up of believers of ALL because it has nothing to do with the church we attend, or the denomination, but our relationship with the Head of the Church, Our Savior and Lord, Jesus.

Here are my 6 choices to participate: Leeanne, Bob, Groovy, Bev, Lisa, Sue. Please leave me a comment and let me know when and if you participate.

HOW CAN IT POSSIBLY BE

MY 400th POST !!

How, oh how, could it possibly be that this is my 400th post.....but it is.

When I began this blog 562 days ago, on January 31, 2007 I never would have dreamed of the blessing it would be in my life.

You have become dear friends.

You inspire me in so very many ways.

You have given me a tiny little taste of the wonder of The Body of Christ

and what a joy Heaven will be.

I've been blessed to personally meet 3 of you in real live so far:

Soholiah, Michelle & Annie

I hope God blesses me with meeting more of you.

If not here on Earth, I know I will "know" you when I see many of you in Heaven!

I wrote about this wonderful book here.

I am an avid reader and this book touched me more than anything I've read in a long, long time.

To celebrate my 400th post I am giving away a copy of it.

Leave a comment and I will draw the winning name Saturday, August 23rd.

If you've been blessed & already read this book sign up for the drawing anyway and pass it on as a blessing to someone else.

***********************

We are on our way to Oklahoma City and the VA Hospital today for 2 tests on Mickey. At 1 o'clock he is having an electrocardiogram and at 2 a breathing test. Please keep us in your prayers. We KNOW who holds us in the palm of His hand!

BEAUTY IS IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER

Seeing my sheets freshly washed, in my home made laundry soap, hanging on my new clothesline in my backyard is a thing of beauty to me!!!

Remember, last time when I showed the spilled bucket and the clothespins all over the grass because the clothespin did not hold the bucket on the line? Well my sweet, and always thinking of a solution,

husband bought and attached a latch hook onto the handle. It holds firm and slides along the line and works perfectly.

Another thing of beauty to me is these new items I just purchased for my healthier cooking projects. 3 new teflon skillets of various sizes. I only had one large stainless steel skillet. Red Toasted Bell Peppers, Curry Powder, Spiced Apple Butter, Molasses, Red Wine Vinegar & White Cooking Wine. What fun.

Large quanity of cleaning supplies: Cidar Vinegar, Baking Sode & White Vinegar. Not really a think of beauty but very useful & frugal.

Life is fun!!!!

CELEBRATING

Just to let you know we don't only stay home and make laundry soap & tend bees,

or call ambulances to take us to the hospital!

We are leaving for the wedding of a very special person to us.

Mr. & Mrs. Kyle Morris

August 10, 2008

Kyle, last Christmas when he was home on leave before going to Afghanistan. I almost fainted when I opened the door and there he stood.

Kyle. and another young friend, James, Christmas 1999.

We met Kyle, and his family, in 1998 when we first moved to Coweta and his family attended church with us. Kyle's father, Brody, was the Youth Pastor and Mickey headed up the Food Ministry at Church On The Way.

The Morris Family moved into our home when Mickey and I decided to spend time traveling extensively in our RV. What started out to be 6 months ended up being

4 years. We returned May, 2004.

The Brody Morris Family

the day they moved in and we hit the road

June 29, 2000

(back row) Kasey, Brody, SIL Josh & Kim

(front row) Kari, Evette & Kyle

The 5 Morris' lived in our home

Josh & Kim just stopped by to tell us goodbye.

We all attended the same church up until December, 2006 when we left.

We consider Brody our "adopted" son.

Addendum: I had written this but hadn't published it yet, before we had our hospital episode Tuesday. Brody, who works as an EMC called the hospital to talk to me when he saw the name "Joyce" on their report. When the nurse walked in the room to tell me I had a phone call she said "It's your son." Imagine my surprise when it was Brody. Then later in the day he came by the house to visit and to lay hand on and pray for Mickey. There are no "accidents" in our lives with our Wonderful God.

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES

Yesterday Mickey & I had the most delightful day just hanging around the house, enjoying each other, our wonderful life and love for each other. Last night we attended our 3rd Monthly Bee Club meeting which was excellent. Driving home we talked about what a fine group of interesting and caring people they are.

At 2:00 a.m. I am awaken with him calling "Susan, come and help me" from the bathroom. When I get there he is on the floor with his head hanging over the commode and trying to throw up and can't. He is breaking out in a cold sweat and trying to pass out. I don't know if it is the heart, he thinks it might be food poisoning from something he ate at the meeting. I am praying like mad. We go back and forth from bed to bathroom. The diarrhea starts but he just has the dry heaves. I keep saying I need to call 911 and he doesn't want me to. I am doing everything in my power to keep him from passing out. Talking to him constantly, praying over him, cold wash clothes to his forehead, even lightly slapping his face, etc.

To make a long story short at 4:15 I finally override his wishes and calling 911. The ambulance arrived in 12 minutes. They hook-up all the testing equipment and the heart is doing good, he is getting plenty of oxygen, etc. but he is still fighting not passing out. The decision is made to transport him to the hospital.

Once in the hospital he was given a med intravenously that immediately helped. The heart checked out fine, the oxygen in his blood was fine, the blood work was fine. The Dr. ruled out food poisoning. They did stomach x-rays. It was finally decided he had a virus.

He is released a little before 7.The drive home make him nauseous again but we finally make it home. I get him into the bed and the sickness is still coming over him in waves. Finally, after about an hour he falls asleep. He has been sleeping most of the day but was able to eat a yogurt, a little plain rice, tea and a peeled apple and keep them down. He is well on his way to recovery.

Before we left I had e-mailed our Pastor and Vanessa, of the Remnant Prayer Group, to pray. Vanessa was scheduled to be at my home at 8:15 this morning for coffee and a visit. She came over briefly and we prayer. Another dear friend of ours, the one who lived in our house for 4 years and works for EMS heard about the call and came over and prayed with him and visited.

I do not know what people do in times of trouble with The Lord and wonderful, supportive Christian friends. We are scheduled to be in Oklahoma City again this Friday, the 15th, at the VA Hospital for a breathing procedure and an electrocardiograph. We are still standing and believing he is going to be healed and the bi-pass surgery will not be needed.

Please join us in prayer.

GETTING BACK TO BASICS

First comes the clothesline and then comes the laundry soap.....

at least that's the way it worked at my house.

On July 16th Becky, at The Butler's Wife, posted about making her own laundry soap. I was totally intrigued. Following her link I decided to do it. Two of the three ingredients were easy to find and then I began my search around Tulsa and could not find the third. Finally I found and ordered Arm & Hammer Washing Soda. Had to end up paying the shipping charge which increased my cost and will reduce my savings but I still think I'll save a lot and it will be well worth it. Besides that I wanted to try it and see.

Here are the 3 ingredients after I got my package on Friday.

Saturday I made my soap. This is the first step.

Now ready to add the other ingredients.

This is the mixture.

Here it is "setting up" in the garage for awhile.

After the time for setting up this is what it looks like.

I repackaged it from the bucket into these two handy ice cream buckets, with lids. I save these buckets and find many uses for them. .

I would have done my first load to try it out yesterday, but it rained here Sunday morning 4 1/2" and drizzled off and on all day Monday and naturally I want to use the new clothesline!!

If this sounds fun to you and something you want to give a try go here for the information and instructions.

When Marc, Oksana & Aric came over Sunday and I told them was making my own laundry soap Oksana said, "Are you serious?!" Like I'd fallen off the turnip truck or something. Gotta love the realness of children.

==========================

The other back to basis I did was bake two loaves of whole wheat bread. I have a bread machine, but I use to bake bread by hand all the time years ago and decided I wanted to try that again. I can't believe that I didn't think to take pictures!!!! But I didn't. It turned out a little heavy but I'll be doing it again and I'm sure it will turn our lighter next time. It tasted wonderful anyway :o)

I am trying out a lot of new, healthier recipes and dishes since Mickey's health issues and reading Dr. Oz & Dr. Roizen's book

YOU: THE OWNER'S MANUAL.

This is Warm Spinach Salad with Chicken, Apples, and Toasted Almonds. GOOD!!!

We've also had the Pineapple-Banana Frappe', Grilled Vegetable Sandwich with Fresh Goat Cheese, & Grilled Tilapia with Asian Red Lentils and Kale. All have been very good. I also made a roastbeef sandwich spread out of our Sunday's left over roast that turned out wonderful.

Stay turned to see what else or new we'll come up with next!!!! By the way, Mickey's bee's are doing WONDERFUL and he expects to be harvesting his first honey soon. We are very excited about that.