It happened today....

I wondered when it would. While wrapping my hair into a quick bun, getting ready to change the unexpected flat tire, I was listening to the radio new report. Soldiers dead in Iraq. I wondered if my brother was on that helicopter. Then reality reminded me Mike is in Kuwait, waiting to go to Iraq.

Despite 11 years in the Air Force, Dan never deployed... which isn't fair to those who went 2-3x during those years... but I digress. We discussed what I would do if he died; where I would go, what memorial service he'd like, how best to spend that pitiful SGLI. Very practical stuff. It was all very superficial because an infected paper cut was more threatening (and likely) than a gun shot.

This is our first experience with a family member in a war zone. Beyond sending care packages and prayers, I don't really know what else to do. My preferred method of finding humor during a very scary, emotional situation is taking over.... we love you, Mike. I'll bet you could've changed that flat tire a lot faster than I did.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

I have been blessed with a Frisbee Toss Award from Jenn over at Rook no. 17 ! Rook 17 has some very cool, non-traditional crafts. Her ideas will definitely guide your creativity into a new direction. So check it out ASAP!

In complete compliance with the Frisbee Toss guidelines I'm gonna direct you all to the National Breast Cancer Awareness site. It's stocked with information for patients, family, survivors and women with breasts. And those for who like to cook.... they have recipes!

Oh my Toast There's even a link to learn how to read a pathology report! Fa Shizzle! Who among us knows how to read a pathology report? My deepest respect to those of you who do. You've been through something way more serious than I've had to face in my personal health history.

So, now I'm tossing the frisbee to Vanessa over at V and Co. Vanessa's blog is filled with beautiful pics of her creativity at work. She's an awesome mom and all around great friend.

The second frisbee I'm tossing out to is Michelle at The Monterey HillBaileys. Michelle rallied up her courage to begin homeschooling her youngiest HillBailey. Her talent as a teacher surpasses her own expectations, but has come as no surprise to me.

So, Vanessa and Michelle, if you choose to catch this Frisbee Award, direct your blog-reading friends over to the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month website and then toss the frisbee onto your friends...

Love and hugs, Lysa

National Novel Writer's Month....

Well, time to make another commitment I may or may not keep. lol. Seriously, I keep setting goals that always take a back seat to more important things, like making dinner, taking care of kids and facebook. A goal I've had for a long time is to write more. Not blogs or emails or status updates, but actual writing.


I have some great ideas and one astounding opening sentence. But none of these stories have gone anywhere besides my thumb drive. This time, however, I have an idea I think I could live with for a while. At least a month. November is National Novel Writing month. NaNoWriMo hosts a contest/challenge to write 50,000 words in a month. November, in case there was any ambiguity.

My house may get dirty, my kids will try to distract me and Dan may find himself washing a few more dishes. But, come November I'm gonna be a writing freak. Wish me luck!!

Lysa

See Shell by the Sea Shore - Part III

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Shell was actually at the Garland Ranch Regional Park in the beautiful Carmel Valley. The rock that Tenny and Anya are near is part of the Rumsen Grinding Rock. Around the Monterey Peninsula, you can find indentations in the rock that the native Americans used to grind acorns, this rock is one of them.

See Shell by the Sea Shore, Part II

This is Shell's first riddle. All good riddles need a hint though. We'll give you a couple. First, Shell will always be somewhere in Monterey County (California). She will always be.... well, that's all we know for sure now.

Tenny is learning about CA history this year. It's very appropriate that she, Shell and Anya stand in front of this rock, important to the Ohlone Indian, in our first See Shell riddle.

Have fun and don't hurt yourselves thinking about this one...

Lysa

See Shell by the Seashore

Tenny has about a thousand "stuffies". Her favorite stuffy is a dragon named Legend, who is currently M.I.A. In Legend's absence, Shell the Sea Otter has been promoted.... until Legend reappears. The role of Best Stuffy is to accompany Tenny on any car rides, no matter how short and to listen to endless riddles. Most importantly, the riddles must always be laughed at.

To honor Tenny's love of riddles, we are going to put a little puzzler on our blog. Stay tuned for more details!

Finally Fall

Dan and I arrived at church early this morning, 8:40. The service starts at 9am. There were barely any cars in the parking lot. We immediately wondered if we missed the end of Daylight savings time. Nope. It's a holiday weekend, combined with the beginning of cold season.

So far our family has been spared a wide spread family-demic. Individually we've all had a cold or two, here and there. But for the most part, an adult has always been able to function, ensuring the survival of all our children. I have little hope of such success this year. I have this foreboding vision of the family, lying in the living room, camped out around buckets. Staggering to the refrigerator to get Pedialite or ginger ale. Zerin is climbing on us, jumping from head to head like stones across a stream.

Who knows what this season of colorful lights, baked goods and used tissues will bring. I'm sure it'll be an adventure though.

Lysa