Monday, July 30, 2007

Kombucha

Ever heard of this fermented tea drink? I started drinking it a few weeks ago and feel great! It kinda gives me a high drinking it, and it supppose to be really good for the liver, but in small quanities very gentle too. Its made from sweet tea and a bacteria yeast colony, and then left to ferment for 5-14 days. It tastes close to vinegar, but better. If I don't have it for a day I start to crave it. The best batch I made I made with rasberry tea, and black tea mixed together, it produced a great mushroom (SCOBY), and tasted wonderful. If you would like to try some or need a colony to start your own batch just let me know. It's really good.

Now I'm on the look out for some raw milk that's easy to get from the area I'm located. I think it would be great to add that to my diet also. Just need to find a farm/deliver that's convient to me, too bad it won't be as convient as Braums is to me.

Thursday, July 26, 2007

Sunday, July 22, 2007

IMG_4208editcopper


IMG_4208editcopper, originally uploaded by conradzone.

I really like this photo too!

Tyler Joseph Photo Shoot


IMG_4248copper, originally uploaded by conradzone.

Here's a copper tone picture of my new nephew form the photo shot I did this saturday. He's such a doll, and looks much more like his mommy than his sister does.

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Tommy in Cousin David's T-Shirt


IMG_3730, originally uploaded by conradzone.

Tommy was put to bed by Cousin Beth, and I didn't leave her with any night clothes, so they used a t-shirt, it was a little large on him, but very comfy. He's also with his substitute teddy we took with us on the trip.

Here's my handsom Head :)


IMG_3726, originally uploaded by conradzone.

Hubby in front of the wild flower garden at the Marine Science Museum in Virginia Beach. We left tommy napping with my cousin and had fun looking at all the stuff that a one year old would find quite boring. We even wandered on their nature trail they had. All in all we had a great time, and Tommy was in good hands. We we got back he just looked up from playing and said HI! like he could careless that we were gone.

Monday, July 9, 2007

Fwd:

Mother of a "Special" Child

When I was young, I'd often say,
I'd like to be a mom someday
While playing with my baby doll,
I thought that job's not hard at all

I'd have a baby, maybe two,
a girl in pink...a boy in blue
Well I grew up and sure enough,
I'm now a mom and gosh it's tough

The baby that was sent to me,
was born with disabilities
At first I'm frightened through and through,
there's much to learn to care for you

This wasn't in my plans at all,
when I was young and played with dolls
Your mind and body were so weak,
you might not ever walk or speak

So much special care required,
I'm often scared and often tired
As months and years go slowly by,
I smile a lot but sometimes cry

To watch you grow and not complain,
though you endure your share of pain
Oh, how I'd hold you and I'd pray,
that you'd be healed and whole someday

But I knew that was not to be,
not physically or mentally
And so I taught you best I could,
your progress wasn't very good

But then one day I realized,
as I gazed into your loving eyes
That I had learned so much from you,
determination...courage too

A love so unconditional,
it floods my soul and always will
I'm proud to say I gave you birth,
for you're an angel here on earth.

God Choose a mother for a "Special" child

Most women becaome mothers by accident, some by choice, a few by social pressure and a couple by habit.

This year nearly 100,000 women will become mothers of handicapped children. Did you ever wonder how mothers of handicapped children are chosen?

Somehow I visualize God hovering over earth selecting his instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As He observes, He instructs His angels to make notes in a giant ledger.

"Armstrong, Beth; son. Patron saint...give her Gerard. He's used to profanity."

"Forrest, Marjotie; daughter. Patron saint, Cecelia."

"Rutledge, Carrie; twins. Patron saint, Matthew."

Finally He passes a name to an angel and smiles, "Give her a handicapped child."

The angel is curious. "Why this one God? She's so happy."

"Exactly," smiles God, "Could I give a handicapped child to a mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel."

"But she has patience?" asked the angel.

"I don't want her to have to much patience or she will drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wears off, she'll handle it."

"I watched her today. She has that feeling of self and independence that is so rare and so necessary in a mother. You see, the child I'm going to give her has his own world. She has to make her live in her world and that's not going to be easy."

"But, Lord, I don't think she even believes in you." God smiles, "No matter, I can fix that. This one is perfect - she has just enough selfishness." The angel gasps - "selfishness? is that a virtue?"

God nods. "If she can't separate herself from the child occasionally, she'll never survive. Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less perfect. She doesn't realize it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never take for granted a 'spoken word'. She will never consider a 'step' ordinary. When her child says 'Momma' for the first time, she will be present at a miracle, and will know it!"

"I will permit her to see clearly the things I see...ignorance, cruelty, prejudice....and allow her to rise above them. She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life, because she is doing My work as surely as if she is here by My side".

And what about her Patron saint? asked the angel, his pen poised in mid-air.

God smiles, "A mirror will suffice."