For fathers day this year we are creating an office space for my husband. We have most of the kids grown and out of the house so 1 bedroom is now empty. We are moving bookshelves and a desk along one wall and tucking airmattresses for visitors. So my idea is basically giving him his own space. He has always appreciated home made cards and German chocolate cake and all the usual stuff.

When we moved to our present town 26 years ago there was a recession then also. We took a lease option and in 14 months the buyers had the downpayment and were able to get a mortgage. We applied a percentage of the rent to the purchase price and they had the option to walk away. We received enough monthly to cover our mortgage and taxes. It worked out well for us. I am thinking of doing that again to sell a kiddy-condo .

It really helps to pray for patience. Being longsuffering is a gift from God. Loving yourself is too. Do you get some respite care. Our state pays for someone to watch my son and yours might also. It's like we have so much patience and when we use if up it's time to refuel. Best wishes

The percy jackson books do have some scary things. We also like the fabel haven books. The ends are exciting and a bit scary. I enjoyed the humor written in. I read as many of the kids books as I can.

Myth inc series by Robert Asprin The Dragon and the George by Dickson kind of for an older middle school or high schooler. Unfortunately the first book was renamed. I'm afraid I'm not being very helpful here. I thought the grimm sisters series was cute. Percy Jackson was fun and his Kane series The Red pyramid and it's sequel are similar though if your a sticler about mythology be warned: Riordon plays with the role and character of the gods loosley. My now 13 y/o enjoyed Peter and the star catcher by Dave Barry but is no longer interested in the sequels. Avi wrote a series about a young man named Crispin. They are well written.

besides doubling the spices in the Libby's recipe I use less sugar and add a little molasses. I sometimes just pierce the pumpkin or squash and bake or Microwave it. then it's easy to cut and scoop, but if you want to bake the seeds cutting it works better. Hey do you remember when Angie's mom gave us the enormous pumpkin and we filled the oven. the pressure canner, and the microwave?