The changing seasons

I am so enthralled by the changing of the seasons. I believe change is always good. I am trying to live "in the moment." To be present in each moment as it happens is not such a bad idea. I know God has me right where he wants me, even if it is just changing a dirty diaper or schlepping the kids across town.

I pass these trees on the way to the home school center. They always give quite a show during the fall season. One rainy day-I brought my camera. I stood there, trying to live "in the moment." The wind took my breath away...and that is when I noticed it. The little yellow leaf.

A yellow leaf among the red ones seemed a little out of place, but just as beautiful. I had a feeling that the Lord was trying to show me something. I feel out of place right now-But I am still here! I still have a job to do for him, even if I am a different color.

I hope you are finding your purpose today. May you find a leaf of a different color.

~simply~

Pumpkins...

Happy Halloween!

~simply~

still crafting...

Although I am living more "simply" these days, I have still managed to make some crafts along the way. This little doily was a birthday gift for a friend of mine from the home school center. It was given a few weeks ago. I realized I had taken some photos of it when I recently downloaded my camera- thank goodness for procrastination {{whew}} I love it when I get a little un-expected blessing like a photo of a project I thought I lost during the recent computer crash.

I will be posting when I can-please hang in there while I work through some things :o)

blessings to you today~

~simply~

live simply...

(click on photo for a larger image)

I would like to thank you all for your warm wishes and e-mails during this difficult time for me. We recently had a computer crash that deleted all my files and photos (arg!) I had been getting the important photos onto discs so I was covered there but it is very sad to know how many were lost.

I have been just taking this time to 'live simply.' It is quite strange to be 'unplugged' for a while. I will be posting when the time seems right-not sure what that means exactly. I'm sure I will work my way back to daily but for now it will just be as the mood hits :o)

~simply~

alopecia

I was standing in the ladies room one day when a young lady with big, thick and flowing hair stepped out of a stall and glanced into the mirror..."ugggg I am having such a bad hair day!..."


The day my mirror was taken away...

I think it all started pretty simply...I know, how ironic. I remember looking in a mirror one day and I just could not get my hair to lay right. That is when I noticed the first bald spot. I brushed it off. My hair has always been thin so I assumed that I had just been extra crazy with the pulling out of a recent rubber band. I think it was just about the time I noticed the third spot that my husband told me he had made me an appointment to go in and get it checked. At first, thinking it was a thyroid issue, I felt fine about it. I believe it was the third doctor and the third doctors visit that it hit home..."What you have is called 'Alopecia' and we don't know very much about it."

I cried.

I think the not knowing is the hardest for me to deal with. This is what I know. Alopecia is a autoimmune disorder and is usually effected by stress or a very stressful event. Some people's hair grows back and some does not. Some times, when it does grow back...if you loose it again it will not grow back. It is all very strange to me.




The following is a photo of me the other morning

right after I woke up.

I just grabbed the camera and took the shot.

I must point out that my hair is growing back for now :o)

I no longer look in the mirror. Not for long anyhow...I always pull my hair up into a bun. This does two things. It keeps the spots from showing and it keeps me from fiddling with it.

These are the things I am trying to do to make sure I am doing all I can.

I use Nioxin shampoo and root stimulator. I take a supplement called biotin that is good for not only skin but for hair and roots. I am eating more protein. I am taking my multi-vitamin every day and I am trying to reduce my stress level.

I, for the first time in many years, decided to grow my hair out...I see now that the Lord knew I needed more hair to cover what was soon to fall out. I thank him for that.

I know that I am not my hair! I also know that I am surrounded by many people who are giving me so much encouragement, and I can honestly say, I feel that there is hope. I am thanking the Lord in advance for what he is going to do in my situation and in that there is now a story to tell.

I remember glancing up into the mirror at the young lady who looked at me with a puzzling look..."At least you have hair to hate" I said as I, for the first time in public, let my hair down...She asked me what had happened and asked me if I had cancer. I smiled and said "nope-thank God! But you have a lovely head of hair-even on a bad hair day." She gently said "I know" and thanked me for the reminder.

~simply~

Another September Birthday...

We celebrated another birthday yesterday. My oldest son turned 16! I can't hardly believe that he went from this sweet and pudgy little guy to a grown-up so quickly...

Happy Birthday!

~mom~

ode to 3

It's another beautiful day here...the sun is shining. I am sitting in the sunshine enjoying some cake and coffee when out of nowhere..."poke." He has now learned how to sneak up on me. Yup he's 3

~simply~