416th Post!

WOW! Didn't even know I had this many post until I added them up! I'm not so sure how I like this background on my blog...sorta overwhelming, but I am tired of working on it so it will stay for now! Will definitely change it again in the spring .

As you can see on my sidebar, I have posted our family's 3 January birthday pics...check them out!

We had a most WONDERFUL Christmas with all the family here....even got a white Chriatmas...which caused us to move our Christmas gathering to Saturday, December 26th since the roads were too slick and hazardous to travel on the 25th. We have learned that anytime is a holiday when we are together as family! How blessed we are!

If you haven't viewed our White Christmas 2009 Photo Show, click HERE and sit back and enjoy!

Today for the first time ever I completed "Read Your Bible in a Year". It has been a blessed and challenging journey in reading the Word of God. My heart's desire is to keep His Word top priority in my life...not just to read it but to live it out...one day at a time!

As you can see...

this is a work in progress! Come back soon for the finishing touches:)

Merry CHRISTmas!

The JOY of Christmas is JESUS
Jesus Christ is....
The message of all that God has to say to us
The fullness of all that God has to give us
The essence of all that God wants us to be.

Jesus, the word of God incarnated
The image of God revealed
The fullness of God imparted
The glory of God reflected
The grace of God extended
The power of God demonstrated
The heart of God expressed
The love of God manifested
The salvation of God provided

Click on the words above (The JOY of Christmas is JESUS) to view a devotional video .

Enjoy and be blessed!

Homemade Laundry Detergent

I am now making my own laundry detergent. The savings are less than 6 cents a load compared to 12-30 cents a load. Also there are NO additives that may irritate the skin and since it is low suds it will work great in any energy high efficiency washer. I have a front loader Maytag.

Here is the powdered laundry formula:

• 1 bar of Fels Naptha Soap
• 1 cup Arm & Hammer Washing Soda (NOT baking soda)
• 1 cup of 20 Mule Team Borax

Directions for making: grate the soap; then mix all together. Store in an air tight container or bag. (I use an electric Salad Shooter grater to grate the soap...fast and easy!)

Normal loads: use 2 Tablespoons
Heavy Loads: use 3 Tablespoons

I have read good reviews about this formula...you can also make adjustments to these amounts...to get the best outcome for your wash. There are also directions for making liquid laundry detergent, but I prefer the powdered...takes up less room for storeage.

I am able to purchase all these items at our Ace Hardware in Broken Arrow, OK. If you cannot find these items at your locale then you will have to order them online. If you have an Ace Hardware and they don't carry these in their store...ask them to stock them.

In the meantime you can order them online from Ace Hardware by clicking HERE. Walmart carries the 20 Mule Team Borax, but none of the other items. Also you can do a google search on each of the items and may find some deals out there. Click HERE for a deal on Fels Naptha Soap.

This is what it looks like all mixed up. The yellow ingredient is the grated Fels Naptha soap grated. I bought the scoop at Walmart. It came two in a package and says one-eighth cup. One heaping scoop is 2 tablespoons. So this works great!

I found this plastic wide mouth container at Walmart and added a label on the front.

This would make a great Christmas gift too:)

In my research of laundry soap making I also came across a recipe for fabric rinse. I haven't tried it yet, but will in the near future.

Fabric Rinse formula: 1 gallon white vinegar, optional- add 25-30 drops of essential oil for scent.

Use 1/4 cup in the rinse cycle. Will NOT smell like vinegar, but clears the last bit of soap from cloths & reduces static.

Give this a try...get clean, smelling clothes and save some money!

Messing Around...

As you can see I have been messing around with my blog. I started working on this at 9 p.m. and now it is a little after midnight...ugh:( I have been having fun with this and learning alot from "Dotty Dot Dot's" blog. She has lots of info on how to do stuff to your blog...that is when you have time:)

Better call it a day. By the way that white stuff falling on my blog is snow:)
Goodnight and sweet dreams:)

Decking the Halls...

Click HERE to see our Christmas Decorating Photoshow!

It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto Your name, O Most High: to proclaim Your love in the morning and Your faithfulness every night...

Psalm 92:1,2

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name; make known among the nations what He has done.

1 Chronicles 16:8

From our house to yours!

This is a Big day...

for several reasons!

Reason #1:

Our daughter-in-love, Jenny Meyer,

is becoming a USA citizen!


Reason # 2 and #3:

Grandchildren, Riley Kate & Tanner Roy,

are 9 years old!

Time to CELEBRATE!

Check this web link...

for an update on our grandson, Camden:
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/camdenmatthew

Veterans Day 2009: Thank You!

Happy Veterans Day to all who have served our great nation.
Thank you for your courage and dedication.
Thank you for our freedom.
We can’t say it enough.

Read about the history of Veterans Day by clicking HERE.

WOW, it's already November...

Such a busy, full time already! We have lots of family November Birthdays: Susan & Richard (my brother & wife); my Uncle Bob; Theresa (my sister); and our grandchildren:
Riley Kate, Tanner Roy & Macey Saramae Schubert! See their pix on the right side of my blog:)

I have several photoshows to post but not the time to do them right now...hopefully soon...I see some late nights in my future just to get this done:)

I just wanted to get a new blog post up and this will have to do for now:)
Have a good and godly day:)

Happy Days are here again...

Jenny and the girls got home last night late...11:30 p.m.
How excited are we...Just listen to the music:)



WELCOME HOME,

Jenny, Abbie, & Savannah!

We sure missed u and are

SO THANKFUL you arrived home safely:)

Some Fall Decor & More...

Thought I would post a few pix of some of my Fall Decor and

post some about gdaughter, Mallory's visit.

I couln't find a fall wreath for our front door that was just the right size and the right $$.

I also didn't want to make one...so I went with this gourd plaque for half price at Hobby Lobby.

I already had the swag at the top...thus together making a nice front door fall greeting

I have had these small wooden clothes pin dolls for years...
they seem to always find a place on a table or shelf this time of year.

Mallory had a delightful time painting a face on this pumpkin.
She named him, Steve!

This is "Yorkie" (as named by Mallory)
the scare crow that sits on our kitchen counter.

Another pic of Mallory standing at our front door.

I needed a table runner for our coffee table so I made one.
I wasn't sure what to create.
During the night I woke up thinking about it & this idea came to my mind.
Of course I couldn't rest until it was made!
I wanted to create something that would cause us to focus on this season's meaning
thus the applique words: Give Thanks

Here is another pix of Mallory in our front yard.

Mallory is such a delight to be around:)
Love you, Mallory.
Thanks for spending some of your fall break with us!

The Cab Ride...

So I walked to the door and knocked. "Just a minute", answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor. After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940s movie. By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets. There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.

"Would you carry my bag out to the car?" she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman. She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb. She kept thanking me for my kindness. "It's nothing", I told her. "I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother treated".

"Oh, you're such a good boy", she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address, and then asked, "Could you drive through downtown?" "It's not the shortest way," I answered quickly. "Oh, I don't mind," she said. "I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice".

I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. "I don't have any family left,' she continued. "The doctor says I don't have very long." I quietly reached over and shut off the meter. "What route would you like me to take?" I asked. For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator.

We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl.

Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing. As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, "I'm tired. Let's go now".

We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico. Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her.

I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair. "How much do I owe you?" she asked, reaching into her purse. "Nothing," I said. "You have to make a living," she answered. "There are other passengers," I responded. Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly. "You gave an old woman a little moment of joy," she said. "Thank you." I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life.

I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away? On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life. We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments.

But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.

PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID, BUT THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL.

Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance.

I will delight in the Lord, my Saviour!

God is SO GOOD to me...and prayer is essential for the believer:)

I prayed then called the internet store where I purchased the American flag for Warren for his bd. It was quick and easy...the lady on the phone was nice and apologized for getting the order wrong...is emailing a return label so I can mail back the wrong flag and is priority mailing me the right flag:)

Thank you, Lord:)

Look'n Good at 62!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Warren!

Todd & Warren

Amy made her dad his favorite dessert...
Homemade old family recipe chocolete pie!

Bledsoe gkids wishing gdad a happy bd!


What could it be???

A new American flag to hang outside
and it's made in the USA!

There was one problem though with the flag...it was not the one I ordered, but I didn't know it until he opened it:( The Flag company sent me a less expensive one...not the one I ordered...and still charged me for the more expensive one...go figure:(:(:( So now I have to go through all the trouble & time to mail this one back and get them to send me the one I ordered with no extra charge to me. I do hope this goes smoothly and satisfactory:)

And by the way, Warren does NOT color his hair! He is often asked or accused of this...really:)

Blog Backgrounds Galore + More...

I'll leave it at this for now...fall pumpkins. It's late and I need to go to bed:) I have discovered that there are SO MANY free blog backgrounds to try out plus so much more add ons!

So as my time allows I will continue to search the web and all these really neat blog background sites.

We are leaving for our RV campout weekend tomorrow (Friday). I'll get back to this when I can:)

Searching...

For just the right Blog background...this is a work in progress:)
Come back again...real soon to check it out:)

New Glasses...

As inspired by my younger sister, Sherrell, I am now sporting new rimless glasses! I just love them...as close as you can get to not wearing glasses besides contacts! See my profile pic above.

I've been busy doing this and that, but must get back to working/sewing on Macey's 1st birthday quilt. My goal is to finish it soon...for I have a lot of Christmas sewing I must do:)

From One Pumpkin to Another

A woman was asked by a coworker,
'What is it like to be a Christian?'

The coworker replied, 'It is like being a pumpkin.'
God picks you from the patch, brings you in,
and washes all the dirt off of you.
Then He cuts off the top and scoops out all the yucky stuff.
He removes the seeds of doubt, hate, and greed.
Then He carves you a new smiling face and
puts His light inside of you to shine for all the world to see.'

This was passed on to me by another pumpkin.
Now it's your turn to pass it to other pumpkins.

Football, Soccer, & Fun Photoshow...

The Stars of the Show

Click HERE to see the photoshow. Enjoy:)

Look Who's 2 Cute!

Camden Matthew Bledsoe

See more birthday pix
by clicking HERE

ENJOY!

New face pics of the 14 Grand's

To the top right of my blog you will notice I have added some updated pix of the Grand 14.
Click HERE to see these pix enlarged (my flickr account).
Enjoy:)

Accomplishing Some Things I've Put Off...Finally!

This is what my sewing room has looked like now for quite sometime:( I have pulled out boxes of scrape material...hoping to organize them for use when I applique.
I was hoping to start gdaughter Macey's bd quilt today...but this room was STARING me in the face! So I began here first. It is not just a matter of putting/squishing all these small, medium, large fabric pieces in a box...I'm actually ironing them and sorting them into colors so I will have an easier time finding the color pieces I need when I'm ready to applique or quilt:) I figure I will do one pile today and gradually get to the others a little at a time. My goal is to get these boxes of scrapes put/hidden away:)

These drawers all have bits n pieces of scrape material that need sorting and organizing.

These have already been sorted and organized.

I certainly have my work cut out for me.

Here is another activity I keep putting off...
I certainly have NO EXCUSE not to do this!

I have the tennis shoes...

I have the tread mill...
I have the time...
I have the energy...
What I don't have is the will:(

But today I AM turning over a new leaf and have started back to walking on our treadmill.
PLEASE PRAY FOR ME THAT I WILL BE DILIGENT/DISCIPLINED IN DOING THIS!

It's good for my health and hopfully I will loose some weight!

Kassidy's Birthday Photoshow...

To view more birthday pix click HERE and enjoy!

Inspired...

My daughter, Amy, doesn't know it but she inspired me the other day. I was at her house and noticed how beautifully she had it decorated for fall. So I bought some fall material and made a quilted table runner and placemats. It has been a looooooong time since I have made anything for my house so it was a fun project to do.

Now to get started on gdaughter, Macey Saramae's, first birthday quilt:)

AGING or GROWING OLDER...

Is not for the faint-hearted.

I just got back from an eye doctor's appt. I knew I was having some vision problems but thought it was because I needed a new eye glass perscription. Well, the facts are my eye glass perscription has not changed that much but I was not seeing well in my left eye. So I had further eye examination (which means I got my eyes dilated and had to wear those dark disposable shades after leaving the office).

The findings are I have the beginnings of macular degeneration and a very small cateract on my left eye with my right eye showing some yellowing of the lens (which is a beginning sign of a cateract :(:(:(

The doctor assured me that nothing needs to be done right now and that I need to have yearly eye exams to see how all is progressing. With my glasses I have 25/20 vision.

I knew that macular degeneration runs in our family (my mother has it) so I have been taking the vitamin Lutein for 4 years. My eye doctor told me to add a fish oil vitamin also.

I did order some new glasses...which I'm excited about...they are the frameless kind. I also am getting my first ever perscription sunglasses (using my old frames for these).

The problem with aging is you just can't stop it ...you just wear out in time!

"So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without His unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There's far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. but the things we can't see now will last forever." 2 Corinthians 4: 16-18 (The Message)

AMEN and AMEN!

Labor Day Family Fun

The family got together this past Labor Day at the Schubert's Farm. What a great family time. We were all there except Todd & Jenny & gdaughters, Abbie & Savannah. They are in China visiting family. Todd has made it back to the states, but Jenny and the girls are still in China and are scheduled to fly back the end of Oct.

Boy, we sure MISS them, but not more than Todd:) He doesn't like going home to an empty house. We dropped by to see him and as we walked up to their front door the 2 little faces that we are used to seeing...peeping out the side windows by the front door were missing:( Yes, that's an empty feeling for sure.

Our daughter's church has it's big fireworks on Labor Day Sunday with all the festivities that go with this. We also celebrated 2 family birthday parties. I will be posting the birthday celebration in my next post.

Check out my photoshow HERE and enjoy

A Prescription for Contentment

"Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich;

having nothing, and yet possessing everything."

2 Corinthians 6:10

I love for my wedding ring to shine. About once a week, I ask my friend who gets me up to use my toothpaste and toothbrush to scrub my ring. Real gold and diamonds can take a good scrubbing; they're not as delicate as we think. And when they're polished, my, they look lovely!

Malachi 3:16, 17 talks about how the Lord has a Book of Remembrance in which the names of all those who meditate on Him, who think about His name, are written down. He calls these people His jewels. How do we become jewels that gleam and shine in His sight? He says, "I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, 'They are my people,' and they will say, 'The LORD is our God'" (Zech. 13:9).

Oh, that's what I want to be: a jewel that shines in His sight, a jewel that doesn't mind a good polishing now and then. I'm not as delicate as some people think, especially when God's grace sustains me.

Maybe you feel as if someone has taken a gigantic toothbrush and is scrubbing your soul raw. It hurts. And you wince at the pain, the disappointment. But take heart, there's a purpose.

Let me remind you: You're not as delicate as you think. You, as a believer, are a jewel, someone very precious to God. You're a diamond, you're silver, and you're gold. He promises that, as His jewel, He's going to shine you up. As silver is refined and as gold is tried, He will polish you bright so that everyone will see you're a jewel.

Lord, help me to bring a willing spirit to You, one prepared to be polished, even when it hurts. I want to be Your jewel.

Taken from More Precious Than Silver. Copyright © 1998 by Joni Eareckson Tada. Used by permission. Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49530

Amy & Kevin!

Go Mt. Vernon!

Our gson, Tanner, is playing on the 3rd grade

Mt. Vernon football team in Missouri.

We haven't been to any of his games yet,
but when we do I will post a photoshow of it.

Go Tigers!

The Broken Arrow Tigers that is!

Gson, Isaiah is playing on the 3rd grade football team.

Click HERE to see a photoshow of his first game.

Happy 2nd Birthday, Camden!

Free Graphics - MySpace/Xanga/Friendster

The BEST...

~Gifts are handmade by our grandchildren~

Below is a BEAUTIFUL Anniversary card to us
from our gdaughter Mallory.

A little hard to read. It says:
Are roses red...or blue, anyways
Happy Anniversary.
This is made especially for u!
Take good care of it and
I will take care of you!!
Love, Mallory Bledsoe

Thank you, Mallory, for making us feel SO special!

China Bound

Todd, Jenny, & girls left for China on a 6:30 a.m. flight

Saturday, August 29th.

We were all up by 4:00 a.m. to get to the airport on time.

Gdaughter, Abbie, is ready to go!

The girls did very well to be awakened at 4:30

in the morning to get dressed and head to the airport.

I asked Abbie who she was going to see in China.

She said, "Chinese people"!

At the airport
Todd will be staying in China with the fam for 2 weeks
then head back home.
Jenny and the girls will stay another 6 weeks longer
visiting with her parents and family.

NEWS ALERT!
We just talked and saw Todd, Jenny, and the girls on our webcam!
They arrived in China safe and sound.
They said the girls did WONDERFUL
on the long flight(19 hrs from Chicogo)
and are especially thankful for the portable DVD player!
The total flight and lay over time was 29 hours to get to China.
A VERY long day especially for a 4 yr. old and 18 month old!

THANK YOU, Lord for getting them there safe and sound.
We continue to pray for safe travel while in China
and excellent health.

To see more pics of there departure from the USA
click HERE. Enjoy

My Knight

Here is a poem our 12 yr. old grandson wrote. I asked him if this was a school assignment. He told me no it wasn't. It was just something he was thinking about one day and he wrote it.
Way to go, Parker!

My knight
Is not like your knight with shiny armor
He doesn't fight dragons for people to awe him
Or live in a castle with walls

Instead he fights to protect people
To protect his home and its people’s rights
He wears green and brown nothing shiny
My knight is an American soldier

By Parker Bledsoe

LOOK WHO'S 7...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY,
Kassidy Love Schubert!