An oldie but a goodie!!! Now that I have two in High School, they aren't interested in trick-or-treating anymore. But I can remember the good times. I still brag about this costume that Caroline wore-- it cost about $2.00! She has Crunch Bar candy wrappers in her pony tails! Hope the goblins don't get you tonight!!! Boo!
I've been so busy this past week, that I forgot to share a touching thing that happened. I volunteered to help a small group of people from our church to take donations to Mom's House, a place for free childcare for moms who are pursuing their education and are single. I admit that I really didn't know anything about this ministry, but was just looking forward to spending a couple hours with my friend Mary and lending a hand. I was pleasantly surprised when we saw the huge pile of groceries and cleaning supplies that filled 3 vans to the brim! Whoever doesn't think that Churches don't make a difference in communities has not paid attention to the generosity of the congregations when local charities ask for help.
Our little group of about 10 of us was made up of younger folks to older retirees. We headed downtown and filled up every open space with tons and tons of food and supplies. This is such a good outreach-- their slogan says "Because choosing life should not mean choosing poverty". Someone grabbed a brochure for a young woman from our church who will probably use their services as she is a single mom who wants to go to college.
The reason I wanted to share this is because it was really, really great for me to get out of my normal routine and help. We give so much to different charities and I'm always writing to the little girl that we sponsor in the Philippines, but this was a way to help where we could see and meet the actual people who are making a difference. After spending many years volunteering in the schools and then doing my own community offering of Hatch, I was a little burnt out on giving away most of my time. But it was time to be involved again. Diane has always been a huge inspiration to me because she gives some of her weekends to helping preserve the Land Trusts where she lives so that everyone can benefit from their history and beauty. My mom teaches underprivileged adults to read. These are things that are truly selfless but at the same time, you get more back in the way it feels to help where it's really making a difference in improving the lives of others. I truly believe that there is generosity in plentiful amounts when you look or ask for it and it's always worth the effort when you give it! It really made me feel good!
We listened to the winds all night and heard things falling in the dark. But when we woke up, there were only massive amounts of leaves on the ground and a few limbs. Nothing major. We're on a hill so no flooding here. The street next to us lost power last evening and it was still out this morning. I don't know when I'll be able to get to the grocery again-- roads into Pennsylvania were closed, the store shelves pretty bare and no deliveries are probably coming right now. We're down to a gallon of milk. I'm just thankful for the electricity, water and heat in our home! We are very thankful that we were protected from the storm-- it's still blowing and raining outside. Our hearts and prayers go out to the people in NYC and the coastal cities who lost so much.
Somehow we managed to get right in the path of the hurricane! Who would have thought that living in Pennsylvania meant we had to worry about this, but this is the second year in a row this has happened. The high winds are supposed to hit this evening, 60-70 mph, and they are anticipating downed power lines and flooding. We'll be safe from flooding, though the school next door has a lake forming right now in their water retention area. I worry about how long we might be without power if we lose it. I don't feel prepared at all. We saved some water but not enough if it goes on for days. I feel really badly for the East Coast right now because it looks terrible there. We were even thinking of heading into NYC for my birthday but that's definitely not happening!
On a happier note (as the winds are picking up right now!)... we took the kids to the Fulton Theater on Saturday evening to see the Agatha Christie play "Witness to the Prosecution". We didn't realize that this was the first play they ever went to (not counting a couple Broadway musicals) and Nathaniel said that it was so great to see it in person since the actors could see us! I remember feeling that way too when I was younger. The story was great of course-- I used to read all the Agatha Christie novels that my public library had when I was a kid-- and all of us had a really good time. I am trying to teach my kids to support the Performing Arts in their communities too and this is the perfect thing to do.
So, if you think about it, send some good thoughts our way and hopefully we will miss any major destruction! And our prayers are with all of you who are also in the hurricane's path. Thank you to friends who've already sent notes of concern!!!
It was exciting news about a week ago when my Dad told me that his brother just published a book about his experiences growing up in Germany during WWII. I had heard parts of the story since I was a little girl-- that much history in one family becomes a part of who you are, even if it was a parent who went through it. I always had questions, though, and this book answered many of them. I also got to see some photos of my relatives that I'd never seen before.
What was most interesting was hearing the story told from the perspective of a young boy who was in some ways removed from what was really happening, but at the same time, in the midst of one of the most memorable wars in history. My grandparents had come to the U.S. and opened businesses prior to the war and my uncle was born here too, but when he was three they went back, right before the war officially broke out. I couldn't put it down and I read it in one sitting!
The only thing he doesn't tell, is how my Grandma and my Dad escaped together to meet my Grandpa and my uncle in the U.S. Maybe my Dad will write a book? He was only around six or seven when he came here so many facts will probably be lost for good.
It is available on amazon if you're interested in reading it too! I found it fascinating.
Nathaniel got his braces off this morning and couldn't be happier! Luckily I remembered to bring a camera when I took him to his appointment! This is Homecoming weekend so they are having a pep rally today, the game tonight and the dance tomorrow night. Neither of my kids wanted to go to the dance this year. We're also bracing for the hurricane weather that weathermen are saying might head this way. Last year we lost trees and power. Hopefully it won't make it so far inland this year! They're even saying there might be a little snow (?!)... but I think that'll be in the higher elevations... we hope!
Craig just got back from another road trip, this time in upstate New York in the Adirondack Mountains. It is definitely looking like fall up there...
The Ausable Falls...
The Ausable Chasm...
He said it was like the northern version of the Grand Canyon. We will definitely go visit! Canada is right across the border. (He also needs to get a better camera phone... the iPhone is ordered but still waiting for them to come in!)
Yesterday I was pretty irritated because I went for my eye exam and my eyes were dilated all afternoon! I would not make a good blind person. Not being able to draw or read would drive me crazy! Luckily today my eyes are back to normal and the good news is that my eyes haven't changed in more than four years! I keep expecting to need reading glasses but I still don't. I think it's all that good nutrition lately! (I hope!)
I was having a conversation with a friend the other day about whether or not it is possible to heal cavities and tooth decay. She had suffered through a root canal (that wasn't even needed) which sent the rest of her mouth into chaos and pain. She was scared to go back to her regular dentist for fear that it would just get worse. (And she's probably right!) So she searched for alternative ways to deal with keeping her existing teeth healthy and found the same things I had been reading:
You can heal your teeth from cavities.
Now, if you tell this to your dentist or even to people in your local health food store, they'll look at you like you're crazy! "Remineralize your teeth? BAH! No way!" Even people who went back to their dentists having done so-- little cavity holes had filled back in, the dentist couldn't believe that the tooth wasn't in jeopardy. It is all linked to nutrition and eating the right foods which cause the bone to heal itself. Like my friend said, if you broke your arm, then your bone will heal again... that is no different than teeth which are essentially like bones.
The proof is in the pudding, as they say, so here are a couple stories from people who have healed their cavities, avoided having to get root canals done or have teeth pulled, and even had crooked teeth straighten so as not to need orthodontia!:
And I'm sure there are plenty more! Here is a whole book dedicated to helping you heal your own tooth carries which is becoming the bible of curing tooth decay:
You can read more about Ramiel Nagel's work here on his website. Or order the book from Amazon. It is sold by a number of other natural health stores too. (I am not receiving any kind of compensation for this... I just think everyone should own it!)
Here's a video of a man who healed his own tooth decay... he said it was easy to do and he hasn't had to see a dentist in over two years:
I just took a little journey back through my blog...
Even though a lot of what I write about is very important to me, it's a little overwhelming! I'm missing seeing more of my artwork and fun stuff. So I'm sorry if you've not wanted to spend so much time reading. I'll try to balance it out more.
The best thing about the blog is that we have a good record of all that has happened over the years... much more than just a photo album or scrapbook. It's a record of thought and ideas and snippets of life in general.
So hang in here with me! :D
p.s. Hi Mary!!! I told Caroline I'm going to adopt you!
Craig's been doing a lot of traveling lately for his job since he was promoted to a new position. It's taken him all over the country and this time he spent a week in Vegas. There's more to the area than the bright lights of the city strip...
Lake Mead is the largest man-made lake in the world! It's a National Park and covers one million square miles with 800 miles of shoreline. The landscape is very different from ours at home. I would love to see this someday...
Hoover Dam is in Lake Mead. Craig rented a pontoon boat for some of his customers one day and then went jet-skiing the next.
Of course, at the end of the day, it wasn't a camper he went back to... it was the posh M Resort and then the Trump Hotel! We were envious of the television in the bathroom mirror!
We spent all day at the tournament today... and came out as winners! It was fun to watch. Nathaniel seemed to fly down the field (reminding me of someone else who used to fly down the basketball court! ;) And Craig was a proud coach! The next two days I'm doing NOTHING! It was a great end to a very busy week.
