Procedure & Materials!

Materials: black powder(3g of charcoal powder, 9g of zinc carbonate, and 0.1g of talcum powder,

20g of fine iron filings

a mortar and pestle, dry beaker, a small brush, clear tape, a 3x5 index card.

Procedure: Place the charcoal powder, zinc carbonate and talcum powder in mortar and pestle, and grind it to a fine powder. Add the iron filings and grind again. Place powder in a tightly sealed labeled bottle. Test the powder by pressing your finger on a clean, dry beaker. Dip a small bruch in the powder and lightly dust the prints. Lift the print with a piece of clear tape and press it over the print. Rub the back of the tape ond lift. Fasten it to a 3x5 index card.

What's A Real Moment

Why did I choose this particular name for my blog? What is a real moment and what separates it from every other moment of every day? My best answer is that real moments are those that stay with you - they are the moments of perfect clarity when you can say with certanty that life is good and worth living. They are not always momentous occassions filled with pomp and circumstance. When my 16 year old runs up the yard to welcome me home with a hug ( even though on most days hugging mom is "so not cool ") that's a real moment. I revel in the joyof it and my heart is full. Laughing till you cry with friends, rocking my sick child and singing to him even though I'm in the middle of a crowded Emergency Room, super soaker fights in the back yard with my sons - those are the real moments. They are special and they sustain me in difficlt times when courage and strength are low. Real moments happen every day - but so many of us are so busy that we let them go by without stopping to enjoy them and to make them a cherished memory. Real moments - small gifts from God.

Just Another Sunday

Ryan is sick ( a really bad cold) which always makes me worry. Looks like Ian is coming down with something as well. But, we managed to go to church for renewal of spirit. The Toothakers are officially on our prayer list at Christ United. Prayer is a powerful thing, may they gain strength from our collective appeal to God. I am painting the living room finally. Since I took all the picutres off of the wall to paint, I'll post one here. Aren't we a crew?

Graduation Day

Congratulations Ian,
I am proud of you and cannot believe that you are moving on to the 7th grade next year. What happened to my baby boy? I know that you will have a great time in high school, especially in the marching band. North Schuylkill High School is lucky to get you. I know that your big brother will also take extra special care of you as you get used to your new school and teachers.
I love you .
Mom

Loving in the Moment

A very dear firend and colleague has just suffered the unthinkable - the sudden tragic loss of a child. Although Eric was not her biological child - no step mom could love her step kids more than Becki. What would I do and how would I cope with the unimaginable? I'm not sure - the loss of one of my children is too terrible to contemplate. What I do know is that we are given only two choices - to go on or not. I hope that I would be able to move forward with God's help and to find a place of peace and grace. What is also know is that our children need to know that they are loved and to hear that they are loved each and every day. God gives them to us for such a little while. We blink and they are grown. Becki knows this and affirms it for her children every day. May we all do the same. For my part, I will follow Becki's example. She is an avid blogger and uses her blogs to further affirm her joy and love for her family and friends. I have always tried to tell my children every day that I love and cherish them. For Christopher, Laura, Ryan and Ian and for my grandchildren Darian, R.J. and Zach and for my son-in-law Ron and of course for my husband, Chip - this page is for you. May you never for a moment wonder about my love for you and my pride in your accomplishments. May you turn to this page when you are down and read about my absolute, unconditional love for you, and know the joy that you give me every day of my life.
Mom