Guess who we had as a visitor?

Before church service Sunday evening, Mini was out running around and since we were already late, we left her out side to fend for herself until we made it back home.


As we were coming up the driveway, I spotted what looked like a huge dog by the house. At first I thought it was Chipper. It wasn't. It most definitely WAS NOT.


My husband, said "That is no dog, that is a coyote!".


A WHAT?


And then the questions abounded ... in a span of 3 seconds ... from me.


Do you think Mini is okay?


What about the goats?


Is that what got the missing guinea?


Where's Mini? Oh no!


And as we came around the little turn to park, it was still standing there. Totally unafraid of us.


My eyes peered through the darkness searching for Mini. I really was looking for something dead, but I spotted her hiding around the barbecue cover. She did not come meet us at the car.


I'm not sure how my husband ended up in the house and back out so quick, but as I opened my car door, at the sound of gun fire, I ducked! (It's automatic, after all I grew up in New York City, and I was (am) a Soldier, a Military Police Officer ... its inbred now.


The coyote had moved down to the clothes line but was still standing there watching -- he ran when the shots rang out. I'm not sure if he was hit or not ... not that a 22 would do much damage. If he's hungry and hurt, he will be back.


So for now ... we are being extra diligent with the animals ... there are baby kittens in the barn and guinea eggs laying around ... thankfully everyone is accounted for.


My husband thinks he was actually after the cats -- they were hiding in the bushes when we drove up, so we may have interrupted his dinner, or late snack.


In any case. I do not want to run into this guy AGAIN.

Especially at night, and especially without some sort of protection in my hands.

Our Visitor

Where has God been?

I have been struggling with many tooth issues lately -- it seems if I am not GOING for an appointment because my mouth is in pain -- I am LEAVING after routine care WITH pain. I had some cavities filled @ March 6th. I have pretty much been in constant pain since then. {sigh} I don't do teeth pain well at all. I tried calling Monday and asking if it could be an infection on the left side -- of course not, it doesn't travel to the other side. Funny that if you touch the left side of my neck its tender and sore. No infection, huh? I have antibiotics that I keep on hand that I am supposed to take prior to appointments but I have been taking them as my own diagnosis. I have to take them because of my elbow injury -- any one know if all these infections could be because of that?

I've been wondering where the Lord has been in the midst of all this physical pain -- setting aside the emotional pain that we are dealing with .... and I have come to realize He's been right by my side all this time. I just lay things at His feet ... and then I PICK THEM RIGHT BACK UP!

The Lord showed me something Sunday night -- I am thankful for that. I will share that later on when I have time (and energy!) to dedicate a full post to it. If we stop to think for just one second -- we can't but realize and see God's hand in everything in our lives.

It's still winter here in Kansas ... because I have yet to see Spring in full bloom, lots of grass turning green which has been a balm to our souls. It's been a long winter.

We've had a lot of rain this month and heavy winds -- aptly fitting in with the April Showers Bring May Flowers saying -- and we woke up to find a tree down in the front yard. I'm thankful it fell that way because our dog Chipper's pen and the HOUSE is the other direction!

A couple of nights later I was up around midnight (teeth!!) and saw that the basketball hoop (which has a HUGE tree stump and heavy bricks weighing it down) had fallen. Thankfully right between my car and my husband's truck. No car damage!

I'm thankful God kept His hand upon our property -- and we have no emergency house repairs to take care of.

I'm thankful we have completed Baby Step #1 -- working on #2 -- but won't see the end of that until 2009 -- unless the Lord fills the gap.

I'm thankful for my husband and children -- my friends and church family. Especially those who lift us up in prayer before the throne!

And as always, I am thankful for this community of bloggers who are an encouragement to me. Please be sure to visit Sting my Heart for more Thankful Thursday praises!

Earth Day 2008

What steps are you taking to preserve the earth that the Lord has given us?

Image Courtesy ofStarry Night Lights

Amazing ...

Tricia is being discharged tomorrow, April 22nd. I am just in awe of the handiwork of God.

Being a mother ...

I received this story in an email this morning ... it touched my heart. People really don't realize how their actions affect others ... some times for eternity.

The Story:
After 21 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to take another woman out to dinner and a movie. She said, 'I love you, but I know this other woman loves you and would love to spend some time with you.'

The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit was my Mother, who has been a widow for 19 years, but the demands of my work and my three children had made it possible to visit her only occasionally.
That night I called to invite her to go out for dinner and a movie. 'What's wrong, are you well,' she asked?
My Mother is the type of woman who suspects that a late night call or a surprise invitation is a sign of bad news.
I thought that it would be pleasant to spend some time with you,' I responded 'just the two of us.' She thought about it for a moment, and then said, 'I would like that very much.'

That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick her up I was a bit nervous. When I arrived at her house, I noticed that she, too, seemed to be nervous about our date. She waited in the door with her coat on. She had curled her hair and was wearing the dress that she had worn to celebrate her last wedding anniversary. She smiled from a face that was as radiant as an angel's. 'I told my friends that I was going to go out with my son, and they were impressed,' she said, as she got into the car. 'They can't wait to hear about our meeting.'

We went to a restaurant that, although not elegant, was very nice and cozy. My Mother took my arm as if she were the First Lady. After we sat down, I had to read the menu. Her eyes could only read large print. Half way through the entries, I lifted my eyes and saw Mother sitting there staring at me. A nostalgic smile was on her lips. 'It was I who used to have to read the menu when you were small,' she said. 'Then it's time that you relax and let me return the favor,' I responded.
During the dinner, we had an agreeable conversation, nothing extraordinary, but catching up on recent events of each other's life. We talked so much that we missed the movie. As we arrived at her house later, she said, 'I'll go out with you again, but only if you let me invite you.' I agreed.

How was your dinner date? asked my wife when I got home. 'Very nice, much more so than I could have imagined,' I answered.

A few days later, my Mother died of a massive heart attack. It happened so suddenly that I didn't have a chance to do anything for her. Some time later, I received an envelope with a copy of a restaurant receipt from the same place Mother and I had dined. An attached note said: 'I paid this bill in advance. I wasn't sure that I could be there. But nevertheless, I paid for two plates - one for you and the other for your wife. You will never know what that night meant for me. I love you, son.'
At that moment, I understood the importance of saying in time: 'I love YOU' and to give our loved ones the time that they deserve. Nothing in life is more important than your family. Give them the time they deserve, because these things cannot be put off till 'some other time.'


Somebody said it takes about six weeks to get back to normal after you've had a baby.... somebody doesn't know that once you're a Mother, 'normal' is history.

Somebody said you can't love the second child as much as you love the first....somebody doesn't have two or more children.

Somebody said the hardest part of being a Mother is labor and delivery.... somebody never watched her 'baby' get on the bus for the first day of kindergarten...or on a plane headed for military 'boot camp.'

Somebody said a Mother can stop worrying after her child gets married....somebody doesn't know that marriage adds a new son or daughter-in-law to a Mothers heart strings.

Somebody said a Mother's job is done when her last child leaves home....somebody never had grandchildren.

Somebody said your Mother knows you love her, so you don't need to tell her ....somebody isn't a Mother.

This isn't just about being a Mother; it's about appreciating the people in your lives while you have them....no matter who that person is.

Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

Around the Web ...a few freebies

Thanks to Mommy Savers I came across this link and found free e-books from Kraft Recipes in Australia. Download as many as you like!

Thanks to Budget Helps for finding this free sample of Tetley Tea! Click here to get your sample.

Thanks to Money Saving Mom for posting this free sample of Yogi Tea. Sample includes 3 different tea samples. Click here to get yours!

Free 3 month supply of Bio Spot® Spot On® Flea & Tick Control for Dogs.

Thanks to Money Saving Mom . Get a free sample of Dove go fresh deodorant from Costco! If you are not a Costco member, leave the Member ID number blank and you will still get your sample. Click here to get your sample.

Happy 16th Birthday!

Today is our "tax baby's" birthday -- he was born very early on April 15th, 16 years ago. The time has literally flown by. And he truly is our baby, so our time at home with him is also short.


Our prayer is that God continues to work in his life and he realizes the potential he has.
God sees what man does not see.

Happy Birthday!!!

I only had this photo with me today!!

Splat Designs Template Contest!

(its for a great cause, one near and dear to my heart!)
Click on the button to read all the details!
I love her designs by the way -- so cool.
Plus it for 3 templates, so maybe we can combine together to win!!

Conversations

In my office today, one of my co-workers and an officer from a country across the sea ... were having a discussion about the Championship Game between K*U and Memphis and as I sat there typing, I just listened.

I sat there listening to an obsessed K*U Fan -- talk about how awesome her team is, how they are the best, and she just knew in her heart they would win ... and all about the excitement and cheering, and spirit (read: worshipping) that was going on at the stadium last week. I felt saddened at how much of her life is wasted on a god that can do nothing for her. Her god is sports. As is many people today.

When she walked out, the officer and I had a little bit of words, I told him that I felt sad about how much people put into sports ... and he said, " How do you say this? Its like a religion to them." He doesn't know how much he hit the nail right smack on the head.

How so very very true, and how very, very sad.

Nature Made Vitamin Samples

Good for a 14 day sample of any of the new 6 Soft Gel Vitamins. You may only select one type of vitamin. So, choose which one and click on the name for the link to that particular type. They have a neat system where if you buy their vitamins you can turn in Rewards codes in their Nature Made Bank which are good for coupons for future purchases.

Multivitamin

Multivitamin for her

Vitamin C

Vitamin D

Calcium

Super B Complex

Thanks to Frugal Upstate for this heads up!

April Showers ...

Its been a cold winter here in Kansas, and it looks like it is planning to be a wet Spring! Clouds do not help with satellite Internet at all ...

Here's a few freebies -- courtesy of Thrifty Florida Mama

O Magazines Annual Spring Tote and Samples giveaway begins today. Sign up here for a chance to win a fabulous prize package. 5,000 random winner will be chosen.

Free $5 off any purchase at Kohl's and 10% off any online Kohl's purchase. I signed up and received the coupon in my email within 24 hours. Kohls has really good sales, so $5 off will net you a good deal.

Free Reusable Shopping Bag from Earthbound Farms. Take the quiz and earn the free bag. Hint: when taking a multiple choice test, the longer the answer is compared to the others it is usually the correct answer!

Free Product from Bath and Body Works with any purchase. That's right you can buy the $.99 finger nail file and get the free $11 lotion. Print coupon here. Hurry it expires on the 12th.

Organic Product coupons. Go here to see the nearest place to you that has this $18 coupon packet. Or order one from 1-866-Igo-orga

More
McDonald's Spring Treat Coupons - From Monica:I discovered today that McDonald's has out some Spring Treat coupons for sale. $1 will buy 12 free coupons for various items such as ice cream, apple dippers, kid size drink, small fry, cookie, apple pie. These are intended for children 12 and under. Usually these coupons expire within 90 days. These, however, have an expiration date of 12/09. Sure wish I had kiddos under 12.

Starbucks: Gift Card Extras - From Carla: (sorry no link to give credit!)
I went to Starbucks today and discovered a deal they have going. If you have a current Starbucks gift card, you can go on-line to www.starbucks.com/card and register it.
By registering it you receive:-Syrup and milk options for your beverage are on the house.-Brewed coffee refills at no charge.-A complimentary beverage with your whole bean purchase.

Vlasic.com: Coupon - From Mitzi If you go to http://www.vlasic.com/ and click on the "Crunch in the Fast Lane Sweepstakes" button, you can register and play the instant game and at the end is a link to a PDF coupon to print. It expires 31 Dec 08!!

Save on Old Orchard Juice - From Freebies 4 Mom:

Request a "Buy One Get One Free" coupon for Old Orchard's new Fruit Sense beverage. It sounds like they will mail it to you.
What else will Old Orchard mail you? Sign-up for Healthy Balance Membership and they will mail you six coupons for a total of $5 off their products

Frugal Journey Side note: We've been doing great on the debt area -- even though it has hurt (lol) -- they decided not to have hub work his day off and we actually could use him to keep working it for the rest of the year -- it will make a huge difference -- so drop a prayer heavenward that they will at least give him one day each pay period. CVS has been a huge blessing to us and coupon shopping (or in some cases -- no shopping and looking through the dark recesses of the freezer and pantry!!)

Visited States

create your own visited states map
or check out these Google Hacks.

Prayer Request

Remember this post?

I have been following their blog and they received a (2nd) Transplant Call -- please pray that these lungs would work perfectly. Gwyneth continues to grow -- which is truly a miracle.

Trish had a chest tube put in yesterday I believe ... God is more than able!! Please drop some prayers heavenward. Thanks much! and today is Nate's birthday!

Updated to Add: IT'S A GO!! They are getting her ready for surgery -- which at the last they could change ... but this is awesome!

Surgery was very long -- she is in ICU and it looks like the family is now resting.

Tuesday Free Finds ...

Thanks for Free 2 be Frugal for these great finds ...

North Carolina Sweet Potatoes is offering some free recipe booklets for sweet potatoes. Love sweet potatoes and they are good for you! There are 6 different ones...order them all today.

Clean Home Journal April Showers Gift Pack

Clean Home Journal is giving away gift packs again! If you haven't won one in the past 90 days, you may enter now. Just 10,000* available—be sure to respond!

The first 10,000 people* to respond will receive a Clean Home Journal™ April Showers Gift Pack that includes the following:

2-cup Ziploc® Brand Twist 'n Loc® Container
Glade® PlugIns® Scented Gel warmer with a free refill

Each gift pack comes with coupons for Fantastik®, Scrubbing Bubbles®, Shout®, Windex® and more—with a total value of $10. I'm a member of clean home journal, but must have missed this email. (or I deleted it ... without reading it!!)


Got Red Plum?

Thanks to More Than Enough, you can find and fill out the form to start getting Red Plum Coupon Inserts in the mail. I signed up last week but my husband says he sees them coming in the mail all the time. (works at USPS)