Interesting Trip

Well after, what we figure to be, nearly 4 years it was time to make a trip to Minnesota for a new brace for Breanna. This has to be our most interesting trip so far.   We went to church at home and after two weeks of not going to church for Breanna she did fairly well.   (the rest of the family went to Mass the two weeks, it just worked better for her to stay home and to divide and conquer those weeks). We stopped and ate dinner in Sioux City.   After a fairly calm meal we hit the interstate.   In the first few miles we saw a lot of pickups pulling flatbed trailers.   Of course the big question was, I wonder if they are going home empty handed from the historical car auction in Pierce,  NE the day before.  Then we saw the one pictured and the captions flew.   I just hope they have the proper paperwork for the heavy haul. I do like the fact that they think they will be able to move snow with such small equipment. 

A few hours later we found ourselves about 30 minutes from the hotel.   Suddenly the interstate turned into a two lane and found ourselves at a complete stop and in a HUGE line of vehicles.   Tom was worried that our favorite heavy hauler had crashed.   Soon a tow truck came by on the shoulder of the road.   Needless to say that sitting still in the van, when not watching a football game, a little lady was VERY antsy.  Since we were sitting still in the van Tom put it in park.  There is a child safety lock for the sliding doors on the van which was locked.  She came up (she won't keep her seat belt on) and kissed mom and dad.  Somewhere during that she turned off the child lock.  She then sat down and pushed the button to open her door.  Remember we are sitting on the interstate.  Dad and I panicked and managed to get the door closed while Reid held her so she would not jump out.  I'm ready for a new vehicle where the child locks are hidden.    Finally we were able to move and never did see what was really happening ahead. What should have to us 30 minutes took nearly 2 hours.  I do think our guardian angels were at work that night.  We had stopped before the delay and got supper.  Tom decided to park the van and eat instead of driving and eating.  I believe that decision helped us to avoid being the cause of the stop on the interstate.  Thank you angels for protecting us.

OK after we finally got to the hotel we are all tired and just want to get to the room and move around and maybe even get to sleep.  I go into the hotel and get the room key/card.  The whole family followed me in since they needed to use the restroom.  We go up to the room and on the one wall is a huge, how can you miss it, black smear of something.  Maybe mud, but Tom was more worried it may be blood.  Anyway, the boys leave to get our things while Breanna and I check out the rest of the room.  While Tom was down at the desk he stopped and told them what we found in the room.  They said it had been Homecoming that weekend and the opposing team's fans (Iowa State I believe they said, not to name names) had not been real nice.  They would move is and put the room on the list to be cleaned/fixed.  We were happy to be moved.  We unloaded and went to bed.  

The next morning I went to unpack my bag, we each pack our own duffle bag and mine is washable so all the dirty clothes go in it coming home.  I opened a drawer and this is what I found.

I immediately broke into laughter and my family thought I had officially lost it.  We all had a good laugh (but it does make me question unpacking my things into hotel drawers again) and left for the day.  I took the photo and then showed it to the gentleman working the front desk.  He laughed with us again.  His comment, " I know this sounds bad, but that's impressive.  I will make sure housekeeping takes care of it."  It was gone by the time we came back, but the photo will forever live on.  I just hope Reid doesn't think he needs to top that on any trips he takes.

One thing we did figure out was, we were somewhere on the Minnesota State campus.  Here's a photo of the stadium from the front of the hotel.

We drove and walked around there and we couldn't tell you where the campus began or ended.  We did notice though that the students we saw were all very nicely dressed.  I did not see any different colored hair or any goth-like dress.  I was very impressed.  

The best part was this hotel was maybe 8 blocks away from the hospital.  Kind of missed the pool, but it was good to be together as a family.  We were there for two more days, but I will save that for later, not as exciting though sorry,

A Penny For My Thoughts

Maybe I should start out saying that this post is not free....It cost you a penny.  OK so it cost you a click, that's about all it will be worth anyway.  :)

I have always bent over to pick up a penny or any coin I see on the ground.  But since I read the poem Pennies From Heaven I look at that simple process different.  (If you are not familiar with the poem click here.)

One day, last year, a student came in from recess with a penny they had found on the playground.  I started telling them the story and then looked it up on line.  There I found the  website I shared above and along with it came the short story that inspired the poem.  

Since researching this story further I have really taken note of the pennies I have found.  One that particularly stands out is on I found in my van when I opened one of the sliding back doors to let my daughter out after a really bad day in church and there was one in the middle of the door.  Before this I was standing outside church with her, both of us in tears, and me crying out (silently) that God would send some strength and help.  I have lost so many really close, loving people in my life that I know I have many Saints watching over me. (I will explain why I call them Saints another time.) That penny, to me, was an answer to my prayer.  I just needed that small reminder that I NEVER am alone.  

I have also noticed even more of a drive to walk away from some of the pennies I find on the ground.  It's as if someone is telling me, "That is not meant for you."  I know I'm strange that way, but that is how I feel sometimes.  

Sometimes I even leave it lay hoping that it will help make someone else's day.

Most importantly, anytime I find one I make sure to say a quick thank you to who ever may have sent me that penny.  But most importantly it always, always puts a smile on my face.

Now do I feel that this is strange, yeah sometimes.  But I think we all need to believe in something, even if it is a bit strange.  Football players and even whole teams have things they do because it helps them get through the game.  I say if what helps you get through doesn't get in the way of living life, go for it.  Let's face it picking up pennies doesn't inter fer with anything, unless you are power walking then it better be a dime so you can turn on it.  :)  But all kidding aside, I don't just look for the physical pennies to help me get through trying times, there are other pennies that appear as well.  I know as long as I believe and look with the eyes of faith the pennies will fall where and how they will.  It is my job to watch for them and not just step over them.  After all the saying is "God will provide" and boy does He!!

Ironic

  

After a very eventful trip to Walmart the other night I did a lot of reflecting.  I'm going to share three of the awful experiences I've had having a daughter with a handicap.  I want you to see if you notice what I noticed.  (Don't worry I will share my reflections at the end.)

     The first one that comes to mind is.  About 4 years ago already I grabbed Breanna from daycare and went to Yankton to do my weekly grocery shopping.  It had been a long day in the classroom and she had had long day as well.  Along with something I figured out on another trip, but that doesn't weigh into the story.  I was trying to get through Walmart as fast as I could and Breanna was having a fit, screaming about something in the cart.  I was pushing her through the store getting stressed myself and her screams were getting louder and louder.  Suddenly a woman on one of the store's electric carts, wheels over looks Breanna in the eyes and says, "What the he## is  your problem."  In an action that would make my Mother proud, I pushed Breanna away from the lady and didn't say anything.  (If you have nothing nice to say don't say anything at all.)

     The second incident I want to share with you actually happened at McDonald's.  Tom, Breanna and I were in McDonald's trying to get her through a meal IN the store rather than our van.  She was doing really well and the store was full of elderly men and women.  When Breanna finished she started signing "all done" and the screaming soon followed when we didn't leave fast enough.  Tom and I were trying to eat as fast as we could and get Breanna out of the store.  These two elderly women started whispering and looking at us.  It didn't take me long to realize they were talking about us.  Soon their comments got louder so I could hear them.  By now I had gotten my back bone and looked at them and calmly explained she has Autism and this is her way of telling us she is finished and we need to leave.  We then finished our meals and left.

     The last incident happened just this week.  Once again we were in Walmart, our home away from home, and it had been a long day for everyone again.  Breanna was once again upset, still haven't figured out why, and screamed through the store.  (Let me explain that I have finally led myself to believe that it is a BIG store so her screaming only bothers a few people close to us.  LOL)  I went to check out and she LOVES putting her hands on the belt that carries our items to the cashier.  This cashier was a gentleman who was sitting on a chair as he rang us up.  He was finished totaling my bill and shut the belt off.  Breanna has watched how this is done enough that she knows how to turn it on herself.  Most cashiers will just leave it on and finish with us then go on.  Not this gentleman, he turned it off.  She turned it on.  He turned it off and glared at her.  She turned it on and smiled.  He turned it off and I thought he was going to slap her hand, but he didn't.  I told her to sit down in her chair and wait for mom to finish, which she politely did.

     Have you figured out what is alike in all these stories?  Upon reflection I realized that all those who showed disgust at Breanna were themselves handicapped.  Ironic isn't it?  You would think that the people who suffer hardships themselves would be the most compassionate, most understanding, most patient.  I'm not finding that to be the case.  I'm not an expert at reading people, but can't help but wonder if there is some anger within them because of their own disability that they don't feel sympathy toward others with problems.  (Does that make sense?)  I've even seen teachers who have handicapped children be the least compassionate to handicapped students.  I can't put my finger on why, and hope that I'm not one of those people.  I pray that my experiences with Breanna have softened me to be the compassionate, loving, patient person that I would hope others with my experience would be.  It frustrating enough to not be able to finish things in public due to melt downs, I really hate having to worry about what others are thinking.  It can get one down if you let it.  It's just crazy.

     I just had to share what I've noticed.  I pray the whole world won't be like this to my family, especially my children.  I pray that Breanna and Reid will grow up to be more understanding and patient with others.  I pray that some how these three people will find a softening in their heart to be more understanding, more compassionate, more gentle.  God be with all of them and all of you.

Fairness

     I know interesting topic.  I will see if I can do it justice.  We have all had a little one at some time tell us, "That's not fair".  One of my students told me her dad always said, "You get what you git and you don't throw a fit."  Easier said than done.
     When I took my Special Education classes the instructor told us, on more than one occasion, that if someone says "that's not fair" we are to remind them that we all get what we need to succeed.  Some of us need crutches, some need glasses and some need more drastic things like wheelchairs and oxygen tanks. I know if I HAD to use a wheelchair, even though I don't NEED it, it would drive me nuts.  I would think to myself, "Why can't I just stand up go to point B?"  But I STILL find myself saying to God, "It's not fair!!!"
     It's days like today that make me cry this out to God over and over.  We had a family gathering and for some reason Breanna was not happy.  So she grabbed my hand and wanted to go sit in the oven, I mean van.  I redirected her several times, but she was having nothing to do with it.  I had a few stops to make in town so we left and came back.  "This is NOT FAIR"
     Upon arriving I told her we were going to go swimming.  (She LOVES water.)  I hauled all of our stuff to the bath house to change.  I dressed both of us got her in the water and a relative calls out, "OK kids let's get out so we can go."  She knew the voice and she was done.  SIGH  "This is NOT FAIR"
     I changed her back into regular clothes and she pulls me right back to the van.  So I sat in the oven, I mean van, watching the family interact, laugh and enjoy each other's company.  "This is NOT FAIR"
     I often find myself sitting back and watching, don't worry I've had plenty of practice with this even before Breanna so I'm an expert at it.  That  doesn't mean that I enjoy watching.  Let's face it all anyone wants is to belong and to feel wanted and/or missed. ( I think that is what is driving me more and more to write this blog, I feel that I am talking to someone.)  And sitting on the outside looking in  more than being on the inside makes me cry out "This is NOT FAIR".
     I don't understand, and don't think I will understand until I stand before God, how this is FAIR.  How this is either the glasses, or wheelchair, or oxygen tank I need to get through this world.  I have lost track of or lost close contact with some very dear friends since we cannot go out as a family.  I feel alone in this big world A LOT.  I'm tired of swimming around crying "This is NOT FAIR" but it's the life I've been chosen to live.
     Jesus didn't use those four words but he did try to understand more, and get out of dying for us in the Garden of Eden before he was crucified.  He knew why it had to happen, yet he cried out His own version of "This is NOT FAIR".  
     I know I can't walk away from this burden, but I often feel that the weight of the world is on my shoulders.  I just look into that beautiful face of my amazing daughter and think "this is not fair" that I can't remain mad at the situation and I carry on.  After all it's not fair for me to give up on her.

     

I'm Worn

         I have started this blog so many times.  Many times I have erased and started over.  The last thing I want is anyone to feel sorry for me or feel I'm a whiner.  (Although at times I know I am.) But now that I've been home and the life of "I have to be home in time for Breanna" is really setting in, I'm becoming worn out.  On the weeks/days she has school she is picked up anytime between 8:30 and 9:00 depending on how long it takes to load the beautiful little girl that rides with her.  Then she arrives at home between 3:15 and 3:30.  So to go anywhere and do anything is stressful. 

    "I can't go here because it will be ____ before I even get there then I have to leave at _____ to get back for her." 

    "If I go here I will have time to do______ and not do _____."

     So I haven't really be able to have any "me time" outside of my hour in church at 11:00 at night on Fridays.  I'm beginning to feel it too.

     I needed to go to Sioux City to get shoes for Tom and other items for projects around here.  Miss Breanna has been a one stop, shop, and go home, kind of kid.  Thus WalMart and I have become best friends.  Well, Mom and Reid pushed that limit to the max Saturday.  We went to the mall, which alone is a stressor, where she flapped her way down the hall and back.  She was so good I stood at the treadmills for 5 minutes, ignoring the sign to not let children play on them, while she worked hard on trying to move the belt on them.  She wouldn't move to the next one until she made the current one move.  She's determined and stubborn.

     Next we went to the shoe store for Tom's shoes.  I knew the moment we walked in this may be a problem.  The smell of all the new shoes was strong to me I can't imagine how it was slapping her in the face.  Sure enough the flying wasn't enough it was time to insert the screaming.  That was a snatch and run store.

      I left Reid and her in the van while I buzzed the craft store on a mission for 4-H items.  After all it's crunch time for those things.

     Next was her favorite store Walmart.  That was fine until she saw the doors and leaving was the only thing she could think of.  So we didn't even make it to the food side of the store.  Guess I have to go grocery shopping another day.

     I really tipped the scale when I did Sam's.  The screaming was through the whole store.  I felt like I was on one of the game shows where they are given a time limit to grab as much as you can.  Sadly we were done, but grandma called and wanted two more things.  That was too much weight on one side and the system crashed.  We grabbed what was needed and got in line.  The beautiful lady in front of me offered to let me go first and told me I was strong and she admired me for taking her out.

     (Here's where the post really should start.)  After all that happened that day and the comment that was made I really felt I needed to write this.  The comment made me feel really good.  After all it wasn't a negative one for a change.  But strong was not how I was feeling right then.  I wanted to fall to the floor into a sobbing blob and be soaked up by the floor.  I HAD to keep going, we were nearly an hour from home and I HAD to drive home yet.

     It's times like this that song I'm Worn by Tenth Avenue North comes to mind.  I don't feel strong.....I feel like I would have a hard time kicking over an anthill.  I needed the support of that stranger to know that I'm doing the right thing and not everyone is frowning on my screaming, flapping young lady.  I know some of you are looking for the religious inspiration in this, and I could give you soooooo many things, but I think I'm going to keep that out of this post.  I want to use this one to have you look at something a bit differently.

     I hope that in reading this post you are inspired to give someone who is worn the acknowledgement that you see their struggle.  Even if it's just smiling at them and saying hang in there. This goes for family members as well as strangers.  We were at a family gathering one day and my brother smiled at me and said, "You are fine, don't give up."  That was all it took for me to not say, "I'm going to go home so you can all enjoy each other's company."  

     I may be worn, but life keeps going on and I have to keep going.  I ask that you please look at others differently.  If you see a child throwing a fit, look at the picture closer before you judge the parenting.  There are sooo many other factors that can be involved.  Flash your smile not your judgement card.  I hope you enjoy the video as much as I do.

HIS Timing Not mine

God has a great plan for your life. He is directing your steps. In His perfect timing, everything will turn out right. -- Joel Osteen

     This was posted today and is soooo appropriate for my life right now.  Today was another interview and yet another "I'm sorry but we decided to hire another person who interviewed."  Now I could sit in my easy chair with a box of tissues and chocolate and either a sappy movie or a sappy book to have a good cry.  But why???  As much as I want to curl up into a ball and cry I know deep down there is a reason for the no.  There is something better coming.  I have to have faith and know that He will take care of me.
     Today I had to go to Yankton and get my eye checked.  Saturday Breanna was upset and scratched my eye, even knocking out my contact.  It has been burning ever since so i needed to get it looked at to make sure she didn't damage my eye.  (I know she is killing my hearing by screaming directly into my ear she doesn't need to take my sight too. Oh and everything was OK.)  Back to the story, on the way there I got behind a pickup pulling a grain cart with traffic just right so I couldn't pass.  My first instinct was, "Blessed Farmer taking up the whole road!"  Then my mind went back to the story I've read time and time again of all the people who were not in the Twin Towers on 9/11 because of some kind of little obstacle and God put that obstacle there so they WOULDN'T be there.  (A couple examples that stick out...someone was late due to it was his morning to provide the donuts and there was a line in the donut shop....a dad wanted to take his daughter to her first day of school....someone got a blister from their new pair of shoes and they stopped for a band aid.)  Since I've really reflected on that story I don't get upset with those situation anymore.  OK so I still get upset with the other drivers that make the choices to pass or do something life threatening, but not with the obstacle that is in my way.
     I know deep in my heart, and firmly believe that God has a plan and purpose for me.  Do I get mad at Him?  You bet I do!  I want, like many of you, the neon flashing sign with the arrow and specific directions where to turn.  OK I want God to take over my GPS and tell me in His soothing voice, "turn left at Albuquerque, apply for the job at _________, stay home and be the Mom you are meant to be for the children I have given you and the husband I have blessed you with."
     But I know that's not going to happen.  I can't sit back on my heels and wait for that to happen.  I have to do some work.  In this work it may cause pain and confusion, but it WILL be worth it!  God isn't there with a neon flashing sign, but He is there with a gentle whisper in my ear, a slight push on the shoulder, and sometimes a kick in the you-know-what.  I need to stay alert and be ready to feel and hear Him talking to me.
     So I will not look at the "No" from the last three interviews hold me back.  I will carry on with my head held high and keep looking for the small signs. 
     But God, just a reminder, I am getting deaf due to the little challenge you have given me called Breanna, so You may have to turn up the volume on Your voice so I can hear you.  OK?!?!?!

Reflection On Things Lost

   
    Since school got out I have been HORRIBLE at following the Saint of the Day.  I promised myself I would continue to reflect on that daily, but life happens.  It has come to my attention that today is the feast of my favorite/most called upon saint (unfortunately), Saint Anthony.   "Tony, Tony are you around something is lost and can't be found."  (For those of you not familiar with Saint Anthony he is most known as the Saint to pray to for help in finding lost things.)

     The other day I posted on finding my Teaching Certificate, I had called upon him for help and he answered.  It took him awhile, but he helped.  OK maybe it took me  awhile to listen to him, but we finally connected.  He has helped me find lost papers, lost favorite toys, and most importantly my lost diamond when it fell off my ring.  (He was quick to respond then.)  So he is called on often, mostly for "big" things.

     But today I am reflecting on the fact that I forget to call on him for other, more important, lost things.  I really should call on him more often for the lost friendships, lost relationships in general, and when I've lost my way.  I know I've messed up on a lot of my friendships, I know we take our friends for granted and forget to take care of the relationship along the way and only realize it when they are gone.  I have "lost" many great friends to the Lord calling them back home, and many "lost" friends are still roaming this world.  The lost friends to death I know are watching over me.  I have one friend I miss the most and during EVERY life event I miss having her beside me physically.  yet I'm sure her presence now is even better.  Today i will reflect even more on the lost friendships in my life and if there is one that I can "fix" I will work on that too.

     Today I will not reflect on the "losses" I have experienced due to being blessed with a child with Autism instead I will reflect on what I have gained.  Having B is a bit harder when I have nephew living in the same town that is one month younger than her and I attend his major life events.  I tear up when I watch/go to weddings thinking what I lost with her.  I find myself thinking about the dreams of having a daughter I've lost.  I really need to change my lost thinking and reflect on all I've found with her.  I have found some amazing friends, some I've met some I only know via facebook.  I have found a simpler life where someone is not in need of the latest and greatest something, she is perfectly happy with a broken toy that she loves.  Most importantly I have found what unconditional love truly looks like and feels.  She loves me  no matter what I look like, OK she laughed at me when I put on the cow jammies for school dress up day one day but that doesn't count.  I have found a love I never thought was possible.  I also have found a better place in my teaching for now I know what it is like to live with something daily and not just for 8 hours a day.

     Today I will not reflect on the lost dream of one day taking my family to Disney.  B cannot handle large crowds so I don't see that happening in the near future.  Today, though, I will reflect on the fact that we found a way to make that dream possible for Reid.  He was able to go with relatives this last year and says he had a good time.  Although he openly admits he wishes mom would have been there.  That makes my heart happy.  I am so glad we were blessed to find a way to help make his dream come true.  (Now if I just could find a way so I can make mine of going there someday come true we would be golden.  LOL)

     Today I will not reflect on the lost relationships that I thought were "the one".  Today I will reflect on the wonderful man I found and married and cannot see how I would ever get along without him.  Through every loss we have encountered we have found ourselves closer to each other.  Although at times he drives me crazy and is not a person who likes to talk about the seriousness of life, he keeps me grounded and on track.  I am so glad that I found my way to SEARCH and found him in such a wonderful God-filled experience.

(Sorry no photo of him as he HATES me taking his photo and I have to "pay" every time I take it.  I'm way to far in debt to take, let alone post one on here.  LOL)

      It seems somewhat ironic that today is the day of my interview.  I have shed many a tears over the "loss" of my job.  I loved my job at West Catholic.  I loved that I could openly speak of things I believe in and not worry about it.  I loved the family atmosphere.  I loved the feeling of my family came first.  I am a bit worried about going into a public school setting again after that freedom, but God will provide.  I can't help but wonder if Saint Anthony is "finding" my job that I lost.  I will cling to that hope as I go forward into the unknown and go into this interview with my head up and faith that God will put me where He wants me when He wants me there.  

      I still can't help but wonder why we need to "lose" something over and over again before we "find" how important it is to us.  After some time we become so comfortable that we forget to work with what we have to maintain it.  For today I will reflect NOT on all I've lost, but on all I've found.  For in what I have found I find God's purpose and calling in my life.  I have found so many wonderful things why should I reflect on the loss.  The joy in finding is sooooo much better.  Hey look what I found!!!!!

God Is Everywhere, Even in the Fridge

  

     I have thought about doing this for a long time, but the time never seemed right.  I put it in God's hands and now He has driven me to give it a go.  I plan on sharing my joys, and happiness along with some of my trials.  (Probably more trials than anything, but bear with me there WILL be joy.)  Now that I've spent a few days at home, unemployed, and unable to physically talk with others since Tom has been taking Reid to the farm and Breanna is non-verbal I will consider this my "talk" with others.  Some days it will be short and some days it will be longer.  Please don't read it if you are a person who reads for errors, after all I'm only human and sometimes emotions will over rule proper grammer and spelling.  LOL  I will TRY to keep it light hearted and hopefully not TMI.  (Too much information) 
   What has compelled me to write this is an experience that I just want to share with SOMEONE, ANYONE, and if you have read this far you are blessed to be that person(people).  I have to share a God  experience that still has me floored and straining to hear His voice more.
    As I stated earlier I  am currently unemployed and having a HARD time with that.  Every morning I ask God to show me what he wants me to do.  Do You want me to stay home and be there more for my daughter?  Is there some special job you are calling me to do?  Am I suppose to be "available" for the other non-paying (OK it pays in greater ways, but more on that another time) job you have put in front of me?  Please show me!!!
    I feel like an impatient child waiting for Santa to see what great gift awaits me.  I have been in these shoes before, no job and no clue what is in store, they are more comfortable and more "me".  I know that God has something better in place for me.  I just wish He wouldn't wait so long to show me. 
   Well yesterday I was getting dinner ready for the family, something that I have always regretted and now am finding comfort in since it makes me feel needed, and I was standing in front of the fridge thinking dinner.  But my mind suddenly went to "God if You want me to stay home and do this daily I need a sign, because I'm not feeling that's where You really want me."  Not even 5 minutes later the house phone rang with caller ID saying Yankton Public Schools.  I had applied for  a Computer job there (not lesson plans, no grading papers, work is work and home is home type of job, I think).  I had decided that they must have filled it and I was not even in the running.  How wrong I was!!  They wanted to set up an interview!  They WANT to see ME!!  OK I may be reading too much into it, but I'm now not so sure God wants me to stay at home.  I have to keep trying for jobs.
    Another sign of this is... I couldn't find my Teaching Certificate and two other positions I wanted to try for needed a copy of it.  I prayed to Saint Anthony over and over and over and over.  I finally said, "OK Saint Anthony if I'm not suppose to be a teacher anymore keep it lost."  (Yes I was desperate.)  Guess what I found last night!  I guess I'm suppose to teach.
    I don't feel I was threatening God, or Saint Anthony, I just wanted the flashing, neon, bright sign in the darkness.  Is God really leading me that way or am I looking too hard for things?  I don't know, but I'm ready for the ride.  After all He's never led me wrong before.
   OK I think that's enough for the first blog.  I WILL include some photos when I see fit and when I figure out how to do it.  Right now I have to get a little lady ready for school. (BTW she "shows" me God's blessings often and you will learn a LOT about her as this goes.)  So God bless and may you find God in your fridge.  :)