It has been awhile since I posted. We got a new computer and I'm having to unlearn what I used to do and re-learn everything. It's fun though. Since Jonathan moved I'm actually trying to learn BEFORE asking him for help. He did come over tonight and help Kaity get a game to work. He's a terrific brother.

We went back to the Coblentz home on August first to pick up Angel. She's a beautiful sheltie who bonded immediately with Kaity. Shelties have been in our home for most of the past 21 years. It's nice to have another one.

We also brought home Pierre. He's a little 5 month old Papillion. The plan is to train him to become an assistance dog for my mother. Papillions are often used to assist arthritis patients by picking up things when they are dropped, and bringing slippers and such to their charge.

My Chihuahua Rosie is not pleased with the new additions to our family. But tonight she did allow them to share her chair. Kaity happened to catch them and got this shot. It could be the last one of them all together.

Pretty the cat stays on Benny's desk, away from them. I think her expression says it all!

On the knitting front, I've cast on for an Elizabeth Zimmermann Adult Surprise for fall. The wool is in my favorite burgundy colorway. And I have a cashmere scarf on the loom. Neither are picture worthy yet.

On the home front, my Mother-In-law could be facing another hurricane. She just got settled into her rebuilt home after Katrina. I don't think she could make it through another rebuild. The tracking shows this storm to hit at the same spot as Katrina. Katrina was August 30, 2005. This one could hit New Orleans Monday.

Growing up in my family, The Amish, were referred to almost as a tourist attraction. We'd Go to the Amish Country for something to do on a Saturday afternoon. We would buy some of their food and admire their handmade furniture. Sometimes, we'd see them riding in their buggies. We would stare. Openly. Oblivious of our rudeness. Not even bothering to smile or wave. And we thought THEY were the odd ones.

For quite awhile, Kaity has been wanting a puppy to raise and hopefully train for agility trials. Gabby was not the right dog for that. She was a bit too much around Chloe. So, she went back to the home she came from.

Kaity misses Gabby and has kept after us for another dog. "And it MUST be a Female". We've had Shelties during most of the last 20 years. So we decided to stick with what we know.

I met Aaron Coblentz on Breeders club.net. I spoke with him several times on the phone. When we had the money for a puppy he only had males or when he had females, we didn't have any puppy funds.

With each conversation, we learned more about each other. On the phone, I met his wife Marilyn and his eldest daughter Susannah who is learning to help with the puppy customers. We were eager to meet face to face.

Finally, funding and puppy lined up at the same time. We drove to their dairy farm and were warmly welcomed, and invited to come inside their home. The Coblentz family has 7 children. As the boys stayed outside doing chores, Aaron, Marilyn, and the girls invited us in to play with 2 week old puppies.

After cuddling each puppy, Kaity and Angel chose one another!

As part of her training, Susannah is being taught to share her family's faith. Aaron told us, "I'm not uncomfortable that I'm Amish, and I'm not uncomfortable that you're not. So please, ask us anything you're curious about." How Fun IS THAT???

Susannah is 16. Like most 16 year old girls would be, she's a little shy about sharing her faith. She did very well. She gave us a book they give to each customer entitled "1001 Questions and Answers on the Christian Life." It covers the basics of Christianity, but then goes on to explain in detail why Amish people wear what they wear, do what they do, and believe what they believe. What surprised Benny and me the most was, as Christians, we have more in common with the Coblentz's than differences. And most of what we thought we knew about Amish people and their customs was completely WRONG.

As our visit ended Benny, the kids and I walked to the van. We each had the same experience. PEACE Not just regular, "We're not upset or unhappy peace", but a physical personification of peace so strong that we could feel it as fully as one can feel touch or hot or cold.

When you go into a home or place where there is strife, you can feel it as a physical presence. People use the phrase "You could cut it with a knife". That is the exact antithesis of our experience, coming from the Coblentz home. This peace lasted in each of us for the next few days. What an amazing gift!

We look forward to returning in a couple of weeks to bring Angel home, and see our new friends.

Some lessons, I've learned the hard way. Like, 85 year old painted over wallpaper really isn't worth scraping to bare plaster. Just mud over the seams, sand and paint.

Sometimes we find wonderful surprises in our house. Those are the times I love. I enjoy when we uncover something from long ago, and wonder what the people who put things there lives were like.

Yesterday was one of those days. The basement apartment carpet, which was dark brown against brown 1/2 paneled walls needed to be cleaned. As I steam cleaned it, the color looked even more drab when wet.

Contemplating the commercial question, "What can Brown do for you?", Sarah and I decided the best answer was, GO AWAY!

We pulled up a corner to see what might be under the ugliness and found the most beautiful treasure!

Sarah loves it! So Justin tore out all the brown and threw it away. We cleaned the "new rug" and plan to gently roll it up and place padding underneath.

Chloe loves her "new libbing room"! That's the best part!

The celebrating began on Friday the 16th. There was a celebration lunch for him on Sunday the 18th. Then, another celebration at home on the 20th!

He had to work late on the 19th. At midnight, Sarah, Chloe, Jonathan, Kaity, Khi, and I showed up blowing those birthday noise maker things so he could have a proper Birthday kiss from his wife! It was great! Benny would have gone too, but alas the recliner was too soft and his eyelids too heavy.

Justin,
We are all so blessed to have you in our lives.

It has been said of you by many, the man of integrity and honor you have become is far beyond your years.

May this year be filled with blessings of joy, peace, and love!

In the interest of portability, I've become smitten with dishcloth knitting. There are countless patterns of all shapes and sizes online.

I knit this one from Sugar 'n Creme beach ball blue.

Along with the pattern , the designer points to a really cool cast on that makes beginning the knitting super easy.

I think I'll put a single crochet border to give it a more finished look.

We ate and played and had a wonderful time together!

Kaity woke early to made cinnamon rolls and coffee, for Sarah and I to have breakfast in bed.

There were flowers, plants, and gifts. While "things" are lovely, this is unquestionably my most gracious blessing.

We're falling like dominoes here in doulaland.

I haven't even been interested in knitting. I'm occasionally working on a toe up sock.

Before I succumbed, I had begun designing and knitting a 3 and 1 Tomten hybrid. Maybe the fever had already started. Not sure yet, but if it turns out in reality, the way it looks in my imagination, I'll have THE COOLEST coat around!

The tea kettle beckons.

Yesterday was Chloe's second birthday! Jonathan gave her a birthday party at a local pizza and games restaurant.

She had a blast! We all did. The party was attended by everyone from 2 Great-Grandmothers to a 5 month old friend!

This year she was old enough to blow out her candles without help! Hey Chloe, I love you to Bits and Pieces! Love, Grandma]]> 2008-03-22T09:21:40Z 2008-03-19T18:54:54Z tag:spinningdoula.com,2008://1.273 2008-03-19T18:54:54Z

For those of you with children, who celebrate Easter, here's a fun activity for Saturday night. Making cookies with your children to teach the true meaning of EASTER! The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have...

Angi jurado@adelphia.net For those of you with children, who celebrate Easter, here's a fun activity for Saturday night.

Making cookies with your children to teach the true meaning of EASTER! The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 1- cup whole pecans 1-teaspoon vinegar 3 egg whites pinch of salt 1-cup sugar zipper baggie wooden spoon tape Bible

Preheat the oven to 300 (this is important-don't wait 'til you're half-done with the recipe)

1. Place the pecans in the baggie and let the kids beat them with the wooden spoon to break them into pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers.

Read John 19:1-3

2. Put the vinegar into a mixing bowl. Let each child smell the vinegar. Explain that when Jesus was on the cross and he became thirsty, He was offered vinegar to drink.

Read John 19:28-30

3. Add the egg whites to the vinegar. The eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life so that we could have life.

Read John 10:10-11

4. Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand and let them taste it. Put the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin.

Read Luke 23:27

5. So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup of sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story ids that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him.

Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16

6. Beat the egg whites with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes, until stiff peaks form. Explain that the color white represents the purity in god's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.

Read Isa. 1:18 and John 3:1-3

7. Fold in the broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto a wax paper cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus body was laid to rest.

Read Matt. 27:57-60

8. Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven off.

9. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the door. Explain that Jesus tomb was sealed.

Read Matt. 27:65-66

10. Go to bed. Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight and that Jesus followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.

Read John 16:20-22

11. On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. the cookies are hollow! ON THE FIRST EASTER Jesus followers were amazed to find His tomb empty.

Read Matt. 28: 1-9 ]]> 2008-03-13T05:19:51Z 2008-03-03T20:44:59Z tag:spinningdoula.com,2008://1.272 2008-03-03T20:44:59Z

Check out this amazing birth story. Every woman should be so blessed! Sarah and I are off to work the polls tomorrow. I'm sure Quilt Bitch will give us some new blog fodder....

Angi jurado@adelphia.net Check out this amazing birth story.

Every woman should be so blessed!

Sarah and I are off to work the polls tomorrow. I'm sure Quilt Bitch will give us some new blog fodder.

]]> 2008-03-13T05:19:04Z 2008-02-28T00:11:44Z tag:spinningdoula.com,2008://1.271 2008-02-28T00:11:44Z

My dad passed from this life to the next 12 years ago today. He was one of the most amazing people I've ever known. He was a career Navy man. He was always the life of the party, but...

Angi jurado@adelphia.net

My dad passed from this life to the next 12 years ago today. He was one of the most amazing people I've ever known. He was a career Navy man. He was always the life of the party, but enjoyed being a silent hero.

Once in a while I hear from someone from his past. They each have their own Paul Whaley story. Sometimes the stories are of him doing something huge. Like the day he spent arranging for housing for a single mom and her boys, after their house literally fell down. Then, he slipped $100. to a sailor in their office and had him go fill her pantry and refrigerator saying, "tell her it's just a gift from a friend".

Some of the stories are of smaller acts. Once he overheard a sailor talking among his friends about not having the money for a new winter coat for his little boy, "But it is New Orleans... we can get by until payday with an extra shirt and a sweatshirt". The next morning as the sailor was leaving for work, he found hanging from the railing outside his apartment, a brand new leather jacket in just his little boy's size. One of the neighbors had seen my dad put it there around midnight.

He was a hero for me too, all the time. Despite being very ill he gave Benny and me a Fairy Tale Wedding. The next year, he almost died in October. But Kaity was due in November. He willed himself to make it through that and stay alive, because I needed him to hold my baby.

He was one of the good guys, and I miss him.

Cheers Dad!

So as she danced we sang...

There is a little girl I love
And Chloe is her name OH
C-H-L-O-E, C-H-L-O-E, C-H-L-O-E,
And Chloe is her name OH

She is now walking around like this saying, "Peet a Boo, see you!"
And ran to the back of the house!