Chilly Dog

Even though the calendar says April, the weather feels more like December. Yesterday we took Wally for a walk. It was so cold and so windy we turned around and came back home. Wally was one chilly dog!

This One's for the Girls

This past weekend at the women's retreat I heard about a new ministry that women from Christ the Rock have started. It's called This One's for the Girls. They reach out in Christ's name to women who work as exotic dancers. When the women go to the clubs they bring gift baskets for each of the dancers. In that basket are items such as body lotion, lip balm, nail polish, body wash, small photo albums, etc. This small gesture can have an impact for eternity, showing women that they are God's beloved daughters.

Women's Retreat

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, "This is the way; walk in it."

Isaiah 30:21

Bible verse for the weekend.

Wow, what a refreshing, renewing, reviving weekend. Karol Ladd (keynote speaker) had so much to share. Something for everyone.

Steps For Your Soul
This was the theme of the weekend.
Steps of Peace
To Walk With More Calm and Less Stress:
Keep your eye on the finish line; keep your eyes on Jesus
Get rid of things that can weigh you down.
Seek help from God and others.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Went with one friend ...

Came home with three more!

Positive

This weekend I am going with four other ladies to a women's retreat. The keynote speaker is Karol Ladd. She is also known as "The Positive Lady". The retreat is called "Steps For Your Soul". I'm looking forward to reconnecting with old friends and making new ones. The weekend promises to be full of fun and fellowship. Growing deeper in my faith. Devoting time to the Lord in prayer and praise.

Books by Karol Ladd

Autism Books

While there are a few days left in April, thought I'd blog a little more about autism/Asperger's syndrome. Through the years of dealing with autism/Asperger's I've come across some of these books and others. Just want to share a few with you.

Any book by Dr. Temple Grandin

She is a noted autistic who is an author, speaker, cited expert in many publications, and video producer.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime

I started to read this book and it just hit too close to home. I couldn't bring myself to read the whole book.

Asperger's and Girls

Never read this book (maybe because I have a boy), but looks good.

Autism-Asperger's & Sexuality.

Puberty and Beyond

This book is really good. My son has a very difficult time discussing these subjects. I bought him the book and gave it to him. He said "no thanks" and gave it back. One day I went in his room and laid it on the night stand. Next time I checked it was gone. Have never seen it since. I told him to just take a look through it when he felt like it. I don't know if he ever did or not. But, I did read the book and thought it was really good. I have been able to use different ways to talk with him about puberty and sex. Since he is very fact oriented, I know he grasps the basics of the whole subject. It's the relationships that go along with this that he stumbles over. As with many autism/Asperger's people I needed to be very blunt. Especially when it came to slang terms associated with sex. I needed to explain words to him that I suppose most kids learn from their peers.

This book is written by a married autistic/Asperger's couple.

Different Like Me

My Book of Autism Heroes

This is a really neat book for kids.

Earth Day, Tuesday, April 22, 2008.

I have been researching ideas for my post on Earth Day. There were so many things I wanted to share with you I decided to just post links and pictures.
Remember these commercials?Woodsy Owl Says Give a Hoot, Don't Pollute

The Crying Indian

"Iron Eyes Cody"
Earth Day Links

http://www.lutheranwomantoday.org/featuredArticles/0408article1.html

http://ww2.earthday.net/

http://holidays.kaboose.com/earth-day/

THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND
words and music by Woody Guthrie
Chorus:
This land is your land, this land is my land
From California, to the New York Island
From the redwood forest, to the gulf stream waters
This land was made for you and me.

As I was walking a ribbon of highway
I saw above me an endless skyway
I saw below me a golden valley
This land was made for you and me
Chorus
I've roamed and rambled and I've followed my footsteps
To the sparkling sands of her diamond deserts
And all around me a voice was sounding
This land was made for you and me
Chorus
The sun comes shining as I was strolling
The wheat fields waving and the dust clouds rolling
The fog was lifting a voice come chanting
This land was made for you and me
Chorus
As I was walkin' - I saw a sign there
And that sign said - no tress passin'
But on the other side .... it didn't say nothin!
Now that side was made for you and me!
Chorus
In the squares of the city - In the shadow of the steeple
Near the relief office - I see my people
And some are grumblin' and some are wonderin'
If this land's still made for you and me.
Chorus (x2)
©1956 (renewed 1984), 1958 (renewed 1986) and 1970 TRO-Ludlow Music, Inc. (BMI)

Long Time No Blog

It's been a week since my last blog. I guess not much blog worthy has been happening. So, to entertain you here are a few random pics.

Joe and Wally out for a spring Frisbee game.

Joe Cool
Rickshaw ride at the Ren Faire The boys with their dad and step-mom

This is a bell memorial planter in the church courtyard. My dad's name as well as others is on the plaque. Last spring my cousin Jane and I planted these flowers. Probably do it again this spring, right Jane?