I'm Loved...even when the icing runs!

Let's set the stage:

The temperature is in the low 80's outside.
The humidity is probably in the 80's as well--Two good descriptive words: STICKY & AWFUL!
Our weather radio keeps alerting us to thunderstorms in the area.


Who had the great idea to make Gluten Free cupcakes?
(In an un-air conditioned kitchen!)

The icing never did get thick enough...

As I iced every two cupcakes I had Princess run them out to a plate waiting (placed right in front of the window air-conditioner!) in the only air-conditioned room, the school room.

...just a bit runny...


But I still got compliments!


They love me...

Changes...(or getting to take a dog for a walk...alone.)

...except for the dog, I mean.

This morning was the first morning that everyone in the house got up and went to work. Junior left first, hubby second and then I drove off and dropped Princess off for her first day.

Wow...I guess that I have hit another 'stage'.

First it was the Mom of Babies stage. I can hardly remember that stage-with three pregnancies in three years and #2 and #3 were 10 months apart...

Then came the Mom of Toddlers stage. I was so worried about those 'milestones' and if they were being reached or not...

Then came the New Homeschool Mom stage. I was so nervous, but we has SOOOO much fun in the elementary years! I wouldn't change ANYTHING!

Then came the Mom of middle schoolers stage-hard for a woman who has the heart and training of an elementary ed teacher! My kids amazed me at what they could accomplish independently.

Then the homeschool high school/private school times. I was a Mom who found it hard to let go. It was a bumpy ride for a while.

I guess I am still somewhat in that last stage, but times they are a changin'. Junior turns 18 in 2 months and will be a part time Senior in Highschool and part time college Freshman this year. Princess, who turns 19 in November, goes back for her last year at vocational school this fall-then it is job training/transition time.

I think that I am ready for the next stage...what ever that is!

Oh, and about the dog.

She is the 'puppy of my middle age.' (Yes, she is spoiled!) She and I got to take a walk alone this afternoon-just a woman and her Beagle. We walked around the paths at the local college campus-the rest of the family was eithr a work or at class. I guess that there will be more time for Mom/Beagle walks...

Times they are a changin'...again.

How much can you pack into one Wednesday?

Start the day off by attending Mass as a family...

After returning home have the hubby offer to make homemade waffles...

Head off to an appointment at the Social Security office...

Return home after a not so bad appointment and do some ironing...

Head off to Lowes to purchase a tub surround that will be installed later this week...

Take time out to go out for lunch...

Stop at Sam's Club to pick up a few needed items....few as in $73 worth...

Head on home to pick up the Beagle and go for a family hike at a local Rails To Trails trail...

On the way home from the hike, notice that folks are setting up for a free concert downtown that will start in 15 minutes...

Arrive at the house and stay long enough to drop off the Beagle and pack lawn chairs into back of car...

Go to the free concert, and have a great time singing along with Rock oldies...Aerosmith, AC/DC, CheapTrick, and other great rock covers...The band was really good BTW!


Leave when you realize that you didn't bring a jacket and it is getting COLD!

Come home and transfer all the pics that you took during this busy day...

Blogtime...

Realize that Princess starts work tomorrow-so I better help her get her things ready...

The day isn't done yet! Two hours to go until it is tomorrow!

PS...But I really love days like this! It gives me a sense of accomplishment! Who needs boredom?

The Princess and Paycheck

Princess begins her new job this coming Thursday-bright and early Thursday. I am sure that getting paid to get up and get dressed in the morning will make a great deal of difference. She did great at her intake interview and answered all questions herself. I guess I was just needed for moral support. Thursday morning she needs to fill out (her own) W-2's and other financial forms.

It looks like she will continue working once the school year starts again, if the 'right funding' comes through.

I just know that I will be a nervous wreck once I drop her off at work on Thursday morning. Yes, I know that she is almost 19 and that it is time for me to let go-but I still worry about my Princess. She has come so far and has accomplished so much-but she still is a person with Down syndrome and some mental challenges. I still want to protect her-but I know that I have to let her grow...

...and go...

...and earn that paycheck!

We interrupt this blog for Independence Day Weekend Festivities...

The fun begins this evening with a birthday party/grill out for Junior's best friend who turns 18 tomorrow.

Hubby has to work tomorrow morning, then it is off to find that perfect picnic spot! We might top the whole weekend off by watching the musical 1776 for about the gazillionth time-we just LOVE that movie.



We'll be out and about for the whole weekend, so you won't be hearing from me for a couple of days. I hope you all have a fun-filled, family-filled, festivity-filled fourth!

The Antiochian Mess and St. John of San Francisco

I don't want to read anymore about the mess that the AOCANA (Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America,) is in. Who to believe? Sounds like a soap opera if you read some blogs! Some unsavory 'stuff' is going on...it hurts me as a new Orthodox Christian (Antiochian juristiction-at that!)

...But today is the Feast day of Saint John of San Francisco. I stand right next to his icon every time I sing in the choir-He's my 'church buddy."

A Prayer to St. John

of Shanghai and San Francisco

---

O BELOVED HIERARCH JOHN while living amongst us thou didst see the future as if present, distant things as if near, the hearts and minds of men as if they were thine own. We know that in this thou wast illumined by God, with Whom thou wast ever in the mystical communion of prayer, and with Whom thou now abidest eternally. As thou once didst hear the mental petitions of thy far-scattered flock even before they could speak to thee, so now hear our prayers and bring them before the Lord. Thou hast gone over unto the life unaging, unto the other world, yet thou art in truth not far from us, for heaven is closer to us than our own souls. Show us who feel frightened and alone the same compassion that thou didst once show to the trembling fatherless ones. Give to us who have fallen into sin, confusion and despair the same stern yet loving instruction that thou didst once give to thy chosen flock. In thee we see the living likeness of our Maker, the living spirit of the Gospel, and the foundation of our Faith.

In the pure life that thou hast led during our sinful times, we see a model of virtue, a source of instruction and inspiration. Beholding the grace bestowed upon thee, we know that God hath not abandoned His people. It is rather we that have fallen from Him, and so must regain the likeness of Divinity as thou hast done. Through thine intercession, O blessed one, grant that we may increase our striving toward our heavenly homeland, setting our affections on things above, laboring in prayer and virtue, waging war against the attacks of our fallen nature. Invoke the mercy of God, that we may one day join thee in His Kingdom. For our deepest wish is to live forever with Him, with the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Yes, amidst all this soap opera stuff...St. John, pray for us!

Pancakes! A GF mix I like!!!

I am not a product review person-really, I am not...

But finding a Gluten Free Pancake mix that tastes good and that doesn't have that 'eating at the beach' gritty consistency is difficult.

Sure, I could make my pancakes from scratch with the special Gluten free flours, but sometimes I just want a quick mix to make things easier. (Yea, I am lazy at times...)

I found a GF Pancake (and Waffle) mix that tastes great and doesn't have the sand-y feel! It has been sitting in our cupboard for a while and I don't remember which store I purchased it at, but like I said, this mix is good-Maple Grove Farms Gluten Free Pancake and Waffle Mix.

It passes the 'easy instruction, quick and easy to mix' requirement for both Princess and I; and it passes the 'non-gluten free members of the household taste test' for both Hubby and Junior.

Fluffy pancakes that taste good-now a bit simpler. (With or without the added GF Chocolate Chips!)

...now to remember where I purchased it...