And the winners are:

Hi everyone,
  What a wonderful day we spent together as a family yesterday.  I am continually amazed how refreshing it is to totally rest.  I slept in until 10:00; took a shower; and got lunch ready as Cora was working on a cake.
  After lunch, and after our sing fest, we dug into our newest Preterist resource hot off the presses.  It's put out by the INTERNATIONAL PRETERIST ASSOCIATION, INC (www.preterist.org) and it's simply called: Garrettsville Seminar 2011. 
  Ed Stevens, who is the president of the IPA, spoke on the beginning of our life on this planet.  He said that it's critical to the understanding of the resurrection of Christ.  We learned that Adam and Eve, although mortal, had the gift of immortality by eating of the tree of life every day.  However, when they sinned, it would have been unbearable to live forever in sinful bodies so they had to be driven from the garden.  It made me realize that death actually is a blessing when a person refuses to surrender their life to God and experience His peace on this Earth.  This gave a new perspective to things.  
  After church, I rested and listened to Dr. Coldwell's STRESS RELIEF FOR CHRISTAN'S.  I have learned to listen at least once a day so that stress doesn't build up inside of me and the deterioration of sin start to wear me down again.  It doesn't matter if it's my sin, or someone who has sinned against me, both of them wear me down.  Dr. Coldwell gets me in touch with God again by focusing on the need for me to repent of my sin and to forgive those who sin against me.  IT'S ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL!!!!!!!!
When I woke up refreshed, the Lord spoke a new thought.  "What would it do to your wrist if you would start playing Foosball?"
"WHAT?  Boy Lord, you say the strangest things."
However, when I began to ponder this topic I realized that Foosball playing uses my wrist in the opposite way that doing sessions does.  I believe that I have shared what problems I've been having with my wrist these past few months.  Doing so many sessions, and then writing down the links, has caused a muscle in my arm to get way too tight.
The massage therapist that I got to know in Fundamentals class has worked on it twice and that has helped a lot.  She also recommended that I buy a small rubber ball and roll my arm on it between sessions.  This has helped quite a bit too but, with all of the sessions that I did last week, my wrist has been very sore.
I shocked my boys yesterday when I came out of my bedroom and said, "Does anybody want to go and play Foosball?"
"WHAT?  Mom wants to play Foosball--let's go." 
We played 8 games and my wrist felt much more loose than it has in months!!!  I have been avoiding playing as looking down, plus the general tension of playing with the professionals around here, usually made my neck and head ache.  Can you believe it--8 games?
After that we had supper and, being as I had offered to milk Sally to give Andrew a break, I headed out into the snowy, very crisp air to milk old Sally.  She was kind of goofy and couldn't decide if she wanted her BodyTalk session or not. 
Finally I got that there was an interference which is that she is afraid that Andrew will sell her.  I told her that this had not been decided yet, and that all of her worrying about it isn't doing any good.  Then she let me do her AnimalTalk session and she was much happier.  I am continually amazed how much stress relief can come out of a session!
After that we watched HOW THE WEST WAS WON!  Boy, am I ever glad that we don't live in those days.  I like to think that I've got lots of courage but, boy, nobody is trying to take my scalp off of my head--THANK GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lastly I gave consideration to my "Problem."  This year 2 ladies have entered my contest for a free session.  I just wasn't sure what to do as I love both of these women.  Now, if 100 people had entered, then I'd chose one but seeing as 2 have entered, I have decided to give them BOTH a free session.  Kimberly and Gwen, please send me an email so that we can set up a time to do your blogiversary sessions and CONGRATULATIONS.
Well, it's a new week.  Today we're going to Mandan for Robert's mom's birthday.  Tomorrow we have our Constitution meeting in Napoleon; Tuesday is sessions, Wed..................  Please pray with me for a lovely day to work our calves.  Things have been so hectic around here that the dastardly deed has been pushed off and last night we had SNOW.  It makes me very nervous. 
Thanks for listening to my ramblings.  Have a great week everyone!
Dawn
PS  CONGRATULATIONS KIMBERLY AND GWEN!!!!!!!

One Year

I have so much to write about concerning the ND Board of Massage meeting on Wednesday; the new clients on Friday; our unexpected guests on Sabbath; and the disappearing rock piles around here, but it will all have to wait. I had hoped to be able to get caught up to-date with my posting before this, but today I will write about my one year anniversary instead of any of those things. Please keep watching as I do need to share, at the VERY least, about the meeting with the massage board.

It was one year ago tonight (at 8:22) that my mother died. One of my friends said to her husband that night, "It is the best thing that has ever happened to Dawn!" I know that many people will gasp at that statement, but I guess that you would have had to have REALLY known my mother, to be able to grasp the truth in what was said about her.

My mother was one of the most selfish people that I've ever met. EVERYTHING HAD TO REVOLVE AROUND HER WISHES OR SHE'D POUT LIKE A TWO-YEAR-OLD! Perhaps you recall the grape video that I posted about her right after her death? If not, you can look it up under videos to try to understand what I'm saying here.

Truly, not once in the past year, have I missed my mother! I kept checking my heart to see if I REALLY missed her, but it was just some memory of wishing that she and I would be close that would surface. I cried for about 2 weeks after her death. Jacob asked me then, "Why are you crying when she was your biggest enemy?" I told him, "I guess it's the loss of hope that we'll be close someday that I grieve."

I did decide to mark this day with a blog post, though, because I WANT to believe that my mother left me with SOME good character traits in SOME way. Here are a few pictures of the treasures of hers I've inherited since her death, along with comments that I recall about things she said.

Perhaps you recall that I had my mom's expensive fur coats made into teddy bears for my children and I? I decided to post a picture of mine for those of you who have joined my blog since that time. The fur came from a leather coat she had and Martha made little vests for the boys' bears out of that coat too. Before my mother was rich, she was poor. That was when she taught me the art of recycling and making do with what you have. Thanks for this lesson, Mom!

About 2 months after mom's death, I finally agreed with dad's wishes to have me come and take away all of her clothes. I just couldn't stomach the thought before that. When I got to the back of the shelf in her closest, I discovered this box. Now, having watched THE CHRISTMAS BOX repeatedly (AND read the true story), I have been captivated with the idea of finding a treasure in a lovely, old box hidden away somewhere out of sight. When I found this box, I held my breath just KNOWING that there WAS a treasure inside. I WAS RIGHT!!!

The lovely, old box was filled with lovely, old handkerchiefs that my mom had neatly ironed and put away decades ago. I gave one to each of my children and then proceeded to use them WITHOUT ironing them in between. GASP!

I still recall asking Mom about 10 years ago, when I had just sewn my children all new handkerchiefs for Christmas gifts, "What ever made you give up using handkerchiefs, Mom?" I can still recall my stomach churning when she answered, "They were always full of snot." I suppose that some of you will find that funny, but I just cannot STOMACH anything vulgar like that! I can only think that, as my parent's bank account grew, my mother felt like she could afford to join the throw-away mentality which permeates our culture now. She and I never could come to terms with THAT difference in our thinking when one of my favorite books is THE TIGHTWAD GAZETTE! The ironed ones are the ones that she ironed and I haven't used yet. Maybe, someday, I'll take up ironing my handkerchiefs, but I don't think it will happen any time in the near future.

Here's another treasure that I inherited from my mother. My mother really did like to cook and this is a collection of her favorite recipes! I confess that I haven't spent much time looking in here until today. I just assumed that it was full of, "You open a can of this, and a box of that, and stir," as so many cooks do these days. In the bottom drawer I found a note on how to get tar out of clothing--USE PEANUT BUTTER! Perhaps I'll take a little more time today to honor my mother by studying her collection of recipes? Who knows, there may be a recipe to a childhood favorite? Thanks for teaching me how to cook, Mom!

As I think of my REAL treasures, though, I know that there is none so wonderful as my precious family!!!! Cora snapped this picture of Andrew and I yesterday before they left for a friend's home-school graduation. What would I be if I weren't a mother? What would I be if I hadn't learned to unselfishly teach my children year after year? What would I be if my mother hadn't given birth to me? changed my diapers? made me German strudels to fatten me up? .......

I close this post in honor of my 1 year of life without my mother with the words of my Uncle David at her funeral. Uncle David hugged me and said, "She wasn't perfect, Dawnie, but SHE WAS STILL YOUR MOTHER!" I couldn't say it better!

Although I am REALLY glad that she isn't harassing me anymore, and everyone has said repeatedly this year, "It is so much more peaceful without Grandma getting Mom worked up all the time," she was STILL MY MOTHER.

Somewhere back there, she must have shown me the value of love because I know that I certainly could NOT live without IT! Here's to love then--may it thrive upon the earth and fill homes with LOTS OF IRONED HANDKERCHIEFS, AND OTHER SUCH TIME-CONSUMING NICETIES, THAT PEOPLE REALLY APPRECIATE LATER ON!!!! Goodbye Mom--thanks for the ironed handkerchiefs!

Doing well,

Dawn

(Revised) Restful but still painful--with pictures added

I am in posting on Andrew's computer as I was exercising and missed the first part of Sunday night Bonanza at the Bornemanns. It's hard to pick up in the middle of something that's already begun--especially a love story which it sounds like it is tonight. I expect Jacob to show up in here at any minute, as he just can't stand the love scenes. "YUK", he says. Anyway, I will have to add the pictures of yesterday tomorrow when I can get back on my computer.

It's been a couple of restful days, but I'm still finding myself in pain today. You see, I am learning that even fun days can be stressful. STRESS EQUALS PAIN TO ONE WHO HAS HAD SEVERE NERVE DAMAGE LIKE I HAD IN 2006-2007. Even being overjoyed to have friends come, if it leads me to neglect my daily health care schedule, will cause me pain. Live and learn.

It was soooooooooooo nice, though, to have Lynette Dagley and her son, Ben, plus Hannah Stover come to visit us yesterday morning for our first ever swing set party. By the way, I said to Robert last night that our swing set party was a BIG success. He said, "It better be, it's a BIG swing set." :)

Everyone seemed to gravitate to the swing set and it was occupied all day except during meals. Jonathan and Jaidra Dagley came up from Mobridge for the day too, and brought Amanda with them, so she could catch a ride home with Ben after spending a week with the South Dakota Dagleys. Eli Dagley was also returning home from there--he's one of Lynette's grandsons.

Here is a picture of my long time friend (14 years) Lynette and I on the swings. I so admire how slim and trim Lynette keeps herself. You inspire me to keep working on my weight, Lynette!!! Thank you!! I feel kind of silly as I had just gotten out of the shower right before they got here and my hair is wet on the pictures. Lovely hairdo, Dawn! Oh well, as Robert likes to point out, "It's your smile that draws me to you, Dawn!" The wind was blowing up our skirts so it was nice and cool as I posed with my friend. :)

Cora and Hannah on the double swing--a little blurry so sorry.

Across the road, where I want to have my health center someday, there is this gorgeous tree that Cora just loves. We all stopped underneath it to have our pictures taken with our dear friends. Lynette and I enjoying the beautiful summer morning and each other. :)

Andrew crawled up the big stack of big bales to "Spy" on us ladies. Cora got him at it here, but not before he caught some pictures of us ladies down below him. :)

Shortly after this our friend, Chuck, stopped by to drop off a CD full of Andrew's graduation pictures. He took the pictures at the graduation but has been too busy to get them to us. He had just come back from the Steele vet clinic where he had taken his dog, Jack. Jack got in the way of the sickle mower and had gotten his foot cut off.

It was amazing how I was drawn to go do some AnimalTalk on Jack--Chuck didn't mind my taking the opportunity to expand my knowledge of working with animals. A lot of links came up to the foot and guess what? Jack needed to be balanced to the mower that took off his foot. Are you shocked? I'm not. :) This is a picture of Chuck and Jacob who are great pals--it looks as though Jacob had his mind on swinging instead of visiting though.

Anyway, we spent yesterday morning looking at the garden; the yards; and Andrew's graduation pictures . Then we had lunch together and while we were eating, Lynette leaned over and asked if I would teach my, "Voice lessons 101" class at the home school convention next year. Nothing like dropping a bomb--although it was a bomb with exciting possibilities. A few years ago I had shared the basics of good singing at the Dagley's music day in a little class I had called "Voice lessons 101". Lynette said that it was very helpful to her and she would like the information to be available to all home schooled students. I told her that I'd think about it.

After dishes were finished, we looked at the wedding pictures of friends and Lynette brought out Polly for a quick lesson in puppetry. I was trying to get her granddaughter, Valerie, to warm up to Polly but no such luck.

However, when Grandma Lynette put Polly on her hand and started talking, Valarie warmed right up and went over to meet Polly. I guess it matters who the puppeteer is when not working behind a screen and when working with children. Valarie and Polly became fast friends under Lynette's charming influence!

At one point in the afternoon I was looking for Cora. Guess where I found her? On the double swing with her dear friend, Amanda Dagley. I got this picture of them from the deck without them knowing that I took it. I think it's so awesome that, as Lynette and I treasure each other, so do our daughters.

Lest you think that the swing set was enjoyed only by the females, you are wrong. Robert and Jonathan were here most of the afternoon--to the point that Robert sun burnt his head. These 2 men have been friends for a long time and it was so great that they got to get caught up on their farming techniques. Robert has such a nice way of sharing with young men that really endears him to those who are seeking organic farming answers. :) Perhaps you can see Jonathan holding his daughter as he swang?

After dishes were finished, we visited and then Andrew worked with the Dagleys on their Prairie Days DVD project. During that time I wrote up a short overview of my lifetime vocal music experiences. They needed the writeup last week, as they are already beginning work on next year's convention. I was surprised to see how much singing I actually have done as I'd forgotten many things.

Lynette also shared with me that our friends, Steve Schadler and Christopher Scigliano, are working together on a project that will be introduced at the home school convention called the Dakota Survival Challenge. Both of these men have lived in survival situations in North Dakota successfully and they have much to share with us as we ponder an uncertain future. Then, next year at Prairie Days, those people who have signed up for the Dakota Survival Challenge at the convention, will share what they learned about surviving in emergency situations. It sounds like a very worthy project.

Ben, Lynette, Hannah, Eli, and Amanda left around 4:00. I got to know Jaidra better then and they accepted our invitation to stay for supper too. It was so nice to get to know Jonathan's family! They left for their home in Mobridge around 7:30 and we did chores and headed for bed.

It was such a lovely summer Sabbath day. However, I neglected my health care yesterday and I woke up at 3:30 this morning in terrible pain in my neck and head. I zapped; took a bunch of clove capsules; did some basic BodyTalk procedures and finally fell asleep around 5:00 this morning.

It's been a pretty quiet day here today as I'm taking it easy and Cora is too. We watched the movie, MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON. I recommend this movie wholeheartedly as a sample of the power of truth and perseverance. We had a strange experience when it was over though. It didn't seem like the movie would end there and we couldn't find the next part on U Tube. Finally Andrew found it on his computer and it said, THE END, where the other one had ended. I certainly wouldn't have written it to end with the hero in a state of exhaustion and he not in his sweetheart's arms. What a hopeless romantic I am and, come to think of it, Jacob never did show up in here. Maybe he's getting over the "Romance is rubbish" stage a little bit?

Well, Bonanza just ended and it's time for family prayer so I'll close for now. Check for pictures tomorrow.

PS to Sabbath lessons

I forgot to mention that last night, while Robert and I were out walking, Cora found a movie with very high ratings for boys. We're always looking for such things around here, so we were eager to see it. It's called IRON WILL. Have you ever seen it? WOW--it's based on a true story about a South Dakota (my home state) 17-year-old boy.

This movie shows very clearly the affect that one person with integrity can have on the world. True, Will had perseverance which outlasted them all in the dog-sled race, but what stuck with me the most was his determination to do good even though he was racing to save their family farm when his dad died suddenly. Will not only saved his dog's life, whom he was feuding with, but he saved a fellow racer's life. He also refused to take a bribe AND he refused to give in to fear which is something that I battle with often. The point is made to know how to defend oneself from attack, so that was good too.

The most important point of all, though, came at the end when the love of his family and his dogs gave him the strength to tip his sled back up again and keep going the couple hundred yards to the finish line. The whole race took place over a week's time in the dead of winter from Canada to St. Paul, Minn and some men died in the process. Truly the will to live and succeed gave Will the strength to endure unspeakable hardships. It can do the same for us!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a wonderful thing it is to be loved! We must not ever underestimate the affect that even a small gesture of love can have on those going through trials. This movie encouraged me to look harder to see ways to bless and strengthen those who are hurting in my life. May it do the same for you as you check it out tonight on U Tube. Maybe tomorrow night?