Reviving the Campaign?

Hello Friends!

  So, I hit a bump in the road for campaigning... Things are getting back to normal-ish and I'm ready to get back to pounding the pavement on my presidential bid.  So right now, with the budget stuff... I figured that I could probably take a shot (eeek - am I allowed to say "take a shot?"  is that taboo?) at cutting spending.  There are a whole lot of people who keep saying stupid things like cutting spending is just not that simple.   Uhhhh.... Really?  It IS that simple and the president is being unreasonable in his refusal to take a look at proposals being presented by conservatives.  I don't think we should raise the debt ceiling. Period.  Giving out of control spenders permission to spend more is irresponsible (and, theme of the evening - stupid)  The act of refusing to cut spending is unreasonable (and stupid).  ANY congress person refusing to cast a vote for ANY compromise is stupid.  Liberal, conservative, tea party - whatever the affiliation or party affiliation - not being open to a compromise is ridiculous (and stupid).
   So...I've found some examples of wasteful spending that I'd cut - Not sure why there would be any question to this type of thing - make the cuts.  So, the following items come from the Heritage Foundation, a gov't waste blog (Barb's Blog), and The Economic Collapse Blog websites.  So, just a sampling of things that I'd cut and prevent from happening follows.  There is a complete lack of proper management at most levels of government and I would be willing to make tough choices with dismissing employees who can't quite seem to make good choices or be responsible for their actions.  And, sorry - but if you're dismissed for corruption, mismanagement of government funds or being stupid, you don't get unemployment and you don't get a good recommendation either! (neener neener neener)  So - uh... stuff to be cut in my administration, along with examples of mismanagement that just wouldn't occur....

• U.S. spends $2.6 MILLION on training Chinese prostitutes to drink more responsibly on the job (uhhhhhhh.....uhhhhhhh.....why do I care?)
• A Government Accountability Office audit classified nearly half of all purchases on government credit cards as improper. (including internet dating fees, mortgage payments, jewelry, liquor, lingerie, gambling, etc)
• Security and Exchange Commission spent $3.9 MILLION to rearrange desks and offices in their Washington D.C. headquarters. (hmmmm... maybe everyone could spend 20 minutes and move their desk... grab a buddy - Go TEAM)
• Another GAO audit revealed that 95 Pentagon Weapons Systems had a $295 BILLION cost overrun. (I'm guessing this is a computer glitch?  Let's pay a few really smart guys $1 Million each - I betcha it won't happen again and we save hundreds of BILLIONS of dollars.)
• Government Workers' refusal to fly coach costs taxpayers $146 MILLION every year. (YAY - an easy one! You're fired.  All of you.  Or pay the upgrade out of pocket? Common Sense!)
• Congress gave $500,000 to Alaska Airlines to paint a Chinook Salmon on the side of a plane. (just no...)
• Washington has spent $3 BILLION re-sanding beaches.  (The new sand keeps washing out to the ocean, just like the original stuff did - darndest thing! STUPID!)
• The Dept of Defense wasted $100 MILLION by not getting refunds for unused refundable airline tickets.  (::Headdesk::)
• Congress has ignored efficiency recommendations from the Dept of Health and Human Services that would save $9 BILLION per year.
• The National Institutes of Health spend $1.3 MILLION per month on a lab that it can't use.
• Congress spent $2.4 BILLION on 10 planes that the Pentagon insists it doesn't need and can't use.
• Conservation Reserve Program pays farmers $2 BILLION per year to farmers to not farm their land.
• NIH spent $442,340 to study the behavior of male prostitutes in Vietnam.
• $1.8 MILLION to a museum of Neon Signs in Las Vegas.
• $35 MILLION paid by Medicare to fake Medical Clinics
• U.S. Census Bureau paid $2.5 MILLION for a commercial that aired during Super Bowl.  That commercial was so poorly produced that virtually none of the viewers understood the meaning of it.
• NIH was given $800,000 in 'stimulus funds' to study the "impact of a 'genital-washing program' on men in South Africa".
• Oklahoma Republican Tom Coburn identified more than $3 BILLION of mismanaged funds by the National Science Foundation - including almost $560,000 to test the metabolism of sick shrimp.

So, just a small sampling of waste that can be completely cut out of a government's budget.  I don't think any of us really care or would find any of this to count as necessary expenditures.   Common Sense needs to be brought to the forefront and be used liberally.  There is not nearly enough common sense being used in any level of government.  I think there is plenty of money to go around if we start cutting out things that are unnecessary. 
   Now, it should be said clearly that it is probably pretty well known that I am not a Committee kind of a gal.  If you elect me to be your Leader, you're going to have to assume that I'm going to call people out on stupidity.  People are going to be called on their actions and accountability of individuals will be a vital part of getting this country on track.  I'm not going to be giving money to other countries for no reason.  If it doesn't make sense, it doesn't happen.  This country will have a strong defense, but I am not going to allow continued U.S.-centric policing of other countries.  I will not put our servicemen and women in harm's way for any longer... for wars that are questionable at best. 
  So, count this as my vote for Cut, Cap, Balance.    I guess I'm just not part of the 80% of Americans who "agree" with Obama's actions.  I have friends who are on the liberal side, and to them, I say this: I am not bashing liberals.  I think everyone is allowed to have their opinions.  Goodness knows I have mine.  The bottom line is this:  What he's doing is not working. Period.  To keep things fair - I'm not a fan of W either.  I don't think this country is being served well by having a system that allows only the wealthy to run for office.  There are a lot of folks who don't have the hefty bank accounts to finance a presidential run, or even a run for congress... but I do think that we'd be infinitely better represented by a group of people who get the concept of living on a budget and living within one's means.
   So, that's that.  CUT EXPENSES. Period.

New Kitties

New Kitties, Indeed!  We brought Mama inside because it is so hot out.  So far three kitties.  I can feel at least one more in there!  They're super cute.  My cousin has the grey one claimed already - any other takers for some cute orange tabbies? 

  On a side note - I told you it was hot  outside! The boys and Papa went out to swim and the water was actually too hot to get into! EEK!

I'm Melting.... melting!

Hello Friends!

  It is hot, hot, hot out there!  I managed to get out of the house today for a little bit - dropped my dad (Papa) off fishing and ran to the pharmacy to pick up the boys' meds for the month.  Got a few things from Walgreen's - 2 deodorants, 3 dish detergents and a bottle of shampoo for $6.  ($10 under retail - just sayin')  We're working on stocking up on items - with the recent news that  groceries are going to be going up again, I'm re-dedicating my efforts toward getting food put up.

   In the past few weeks, we've managed to stock up on paper towel (which will last a long time because I use re-usable when I can, but there are some messes I just don't want to clean up twice!), toilet paper, dish detergent, laundry detergent, fabric softener, deodorant and body wash.  All on sale, coupled with coupons and often times with either additional store coupons or rebates.  Overall, we saved over 70% by watching those sales and combining sales with coupon savings. I've got a few more coupons I need to use before the end of the month, will be about 20 bars of soap for free.  That should last a while! :)

  Anyway... back to the heat!  When I was coming home from town this morning, the temperature was 102*.  That was before noon.  In the shade.  Without heat index figured in. (I'm mellllllting!)  So, we are inside, on Mom-imposed, heat - induced house arrest.  And yes, I did already get a round of  "But YOU got to go out today... YOU got to go to the store. YOU didn't take us with you."... in surround sound.  There are endless games of Wii baseball happening, along with Mario Kart (weeeeeeee).  So far, the arguing has been minimal.  We're changing things up every so often... cartoons, board games, lunch, wii..... ugh.  I'm really needing the heat to just go away.  I figure I'm allowed to complain... I mean, we're in northern Illinois... If I live in the deep South, I'm not allowed to complain about heat.  If I live in the North Woods, I can't complain about snow... If I live in California, I can't complain about mudslides or earthquakes... I live in IL... other than not having mudslides and only the occasional, minor earth rumble... we kind of get everything... so I can complain... right?  Not doing too much complaining, though... Its been a mild Summer so far, been hot, but not too hot (until now... just sayin').   Soon, the heat will pass and we'll be begging for warm weather. 

 Right now, however, I just got word that new life has arrived on the (Funny) Farm.  Pictures to come, I'm sure... Going to go out to check if reports are correct.  Report is that Alice has given birth to kittens.  Alice arrived at the (Funny) Farm a few months back, we think she was dumped along the road because we'd never seen her before... anyhow... here I go to check and make sure Mama Kitty has water.

The Return To Normal-ish-ness

Hello Friends.

I apologize for my extended absence.  Many of you know that my sister passed away somewhat unexpectedly at the beginning of June.  Her death was a shock to the system, but not so much a surprise, as we knew, at some point, we would get that call.   I struggle right now to even really know what to say or how to explain the situation, I even struggle in coming to grips with the reality and enormity of having lost my only sibling.  I feel like anything I say in pure honesty is also muddy-ing her name.  I don't want to do this in any way, so I have found myself not really saying much of anything except to those who knew her and the situation and those I'm closest to. 

In trying to process all of the emotions that go with this territory, I find myself crying at times when everyone else is laughing, laughing at times when everyone around me is crying and having no visceral emotion during times that I should be raw with feeling.   I had the admittedly ego-centric realization last week that the God I praise loves my sister and others with addictions, mental illness and other painful conditions and diseases every last bit as much as He loves those who are living for Him.  (ouch!)  There is, of course, benefit and joy in living how we try to live here on the (Funny) Farm, but in the past several weeks, it has become painfully obvious to me that our works are for us.  Yes, God cares about what we do, but our "stuff" - the gardens, the animals, the homeschooling, the gentle parenting... I think they all Glorify God and are Good, but our thoughts being mindful that He loves EVERYONE is what has brought comfort in the difficult times since Sarah's death.  Her life mattered.  She was a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a mother, and a friend.  The words that I heard from others at her memorial service were heart-warming reminders that she was good.  She hurt those who were closest to her because we were the safe ones to do that to.  She was helpful and overwhelmingly kind to others around her.  In the early days after her death, this was not much of a consolation to me.  Because, in true sister fashion, I can admit loudly that she was rotten to me almost all of the time, but I love her still to the core of my soul.  Now, after almost 7 weeks since she died, I can say that I'm so grateful to have heard these positive stories.  I'm glad that people remember her kindly.  I don't want others to remember my sister with the memories that I have from the past 15 years or so since mental illness took over her personality and life.  The truth is that as much as I can say right at this moment that I miss my sister, I could have just as easily said "I miss my sister." at any point in the past 15 years.

  So... in the past week, life has been getting back to normal-ish around here.  A friend pointed out that "normal" was probably the wrong word choice... she's probably right.  Last week, we went back home and visited a friend, went camping, had friends over for dinner and had family over for a visit.  Talk about jumping right back into normal-ish! 

 A major change here at the (Funny) Farm, I made the decision to sell the goats.  I felt the major need to simplify and was feeling tied down by having to milk twice a day... I hoped it wasn't too rash a decision - I do tend to make emotional decisions that are not the best choices in times of turmoil... but it turns out that  I think it was a good choice.  The very short haircut, however.... well, I've been wanting to start dreadlocks for quite some time now, and I thought that the short haircut might have been a wiser emotional choice that dreading my hair.  Not that I'm not still considering doing so, but that is not a choice to be made when upset.  Not that I should even let anyone touch my hair....

  So, emotional decisions, back to normal-ish, normal grief stuff, heat - it is so unholy hot outside right now - we're confined to the house - not fun- feeling the stir crazies already!  Life moves ahead.  I'm thankful for life moving ahead.  I'm thankful for my family, my church family, my friends.   

  If it isn't too strange to say, I'm trying to find the good in this sad time.  I was deeply in the web of addiction and mental illness and codependency with my sister.  I was an enabler.  I did realize this well before she died and made enormous strides in breaking away from that unhealthy relationship.  I succeeded in doing so about a year and a half before her death.  I know that doing so has helped me get through this in a much healthier manner than if I had still been in the codependent relationship.  I am seeing the end of drama in my life.  The end of all things revolving around a very unhealthy family member, the end of drama just for drama's sake.  This has been a positive for me and my grieving process.  I am at a place now where I can say that I hate what Sarah did to me, but I love my sister so deeply that it hurts.   I miss you, Boo.  We all love you so very much.  I know you are healthy and whole now.  I know your body is healed in a way that it never was here.  Your physical pain is gone.  Your emotional scars are healed.  You have a deep peace that you could never quite achieve here.  You are so loved and so missed.

 In Loving Memory Of 

Sarah Melissa Hansen

June 24, 1977 - June 2, 2011

My Presidential Run

Hello Friends!

  Good morning!  I pray that the Almighty's blessings are abundant in your life and you recognize those blessings fully!  A few things before I start in on the exciting "next chapter" of my life (a 2012 Presidential run?)  Twice this week, friends have approached me and told me they are praying for me.  One is going through a bit of a difficult time with one of her children.  He's got a bit of an illness going on and they're trying to get it figured out. (So, please keep her in your prayers - if we can multiply prayer, it makes it all the more powerful!!!) So, we chatted and basically, her point was that she's dealing with this thing with one of her children and she was praying for me because I have to go through this daily.  My Jonah has to endure this constantly.  I have to say that this is our way of life, at this point, doctors, meds, etc... it is just what we do and I rarely give it a second thought... sometimes it is more than I can bear, but most of the time, it just is.  Another friend, and she's done this before, called me an amazing Warrior Princess. WOW.  That left me in tears.  Among friends, we know we are princesses - daughters of the King Most High... we own it - it is a marvelous thing!  But the addition of "Warrior" to Princess - just WOW!  I don't know that I've earned the title, but it made me realize how fully and completely blessed I am.  I have friends who are lifting me up in prayer all the time.  I have a life that I can hand over to God and try my best, in my mere humanity, to glorify Him in my actions, words and thoughts.  Today, take a few minutes to Glorify God - let HIM know that you know your blessings are too many to count.  Be a Warrior in your life.  Take the bad and do your best to make those circumstances Christ-honoring.  WE are the only ones who can control our actions.  Blaming "circumstances" is counter-productive - we make our own circumstances.  Acknowledge that we are accountable for our own actions and stand up and control those actions.  God IS in control.  But God gave us free will to control ourselves.  Owning this is our key to contentment in Christ.  Ignoring this will most certainly be our downfall.

  OK... So, on to the fun stuff!  So, next week, I may or may not be having a certain birthday that frees me up to run for the BIG TIME in the political arena.  Now, I will tell you that I AM having this birthday but am requesting that no one say "the number" out loud.  (Please?)  So, I was thinking... what is my platform?  What am I running on?  Why am I running?  This is going to be so much fun!  So, here goes... I'm officially putting my name in the hat for the nomination for the Presidency.  This, my friends, is what I will work toward.

 1) Stop taking money from China (and all other countries).  Our debt is entirely too high and we need to stop borrowing money that we can't pay back. Period.

2) We need to return this country to greatness. Imports - across the board - are allowed to come in - WITH a 33.3% tax.  Make it MORE DIFFICULT for countries looking to the U.S. to take in all their crap and support their economy.  We need to start making products and incentivizing U.S. companies to produce the things we need - RIGHT HERE in the U.S.  You want to move your company offshore to save money?  Fine - but don't expect to continue to sell your product here without aforementioned 33.3% tax.  We need to keep jobs here - too many people need and want jobs right now.  Make tax structures fair and easy for small businesses who are employing people right here where jobs are needed.

3)Stop. Killing. Babies.  A country that doesn't protect it's most vulnerable is not a country I want to support.  Make adoption proceedings more affordable and a quicker process for families who are DESPERATE to add to their families but can't afford the process.

4) Strong Military - fine and dandy.  I support our military members with my whole heart.  I'm sad that their Commander - in - Chief is a jackass.  Just because we have a strong military and that is a good thing - national defense is too important to not have a strong military - but not involving our military in non-sensical wars and conflicts is the mark of a strong nation... not endangering our soldiers unnecessarily is a sign of strength.  Moving in when and only when it is necessary is a sign of intelligence and compassion.

5) Government needs to butt out of people's lives.  There is most definitely a segment of the population who will not be happy with this - but here goes - Welfare - you're not entiltled to it.  I don't mind helping you out to feed your family if you're having a hard time. It is NOT my job to buy your food ad infinitum because you don't feel like getting your butt out of bed and working. Period.  Third generation welfare recipients - there is a problem here.  Change the problem.  Folks have been paying into social security their whole lives and you're gonna take their money and not give it back?  How about you give everyone back their money (Oh wait... what? You spent it?) and privatize social security.  Americans are smart enough to fund their own retirement.  Let them do so instead of taking money away from them - money most of us are likely to never see.  Other government programs - Medicaid - yes - on a sliding fee basis.  If you don't have a job - you are assigned a job watching kids so parents can go to work, you'll receive a fair wage (because parents who go to work will be paying for your services - this is not a government sponsored program - it is called being innovative - use the brain that God Almighty gave you and you'll be amazed at the wonderful things that could happen!) So, medicaid - yes - to CITIZENS who are paying into the program - medical care is too important to not subsidize. We need to stop paying for people who are not citizens to have babies and get free medical care.  That is just stupid.  The medical fee structure also needs to be revamped.  The charges are astronomical and out of line.  I'm not anti-capitalist, I'm just a realist.  I don't get to charge $10 for a dozen eggs - no one would buy them.  Medical care is doing exactly that... they are over-charging for services that are crucial to life, there are people going without because they can't afford care.  Get prices in line.  Including health insurance premiums.  Tort reform.  I know there are cases that are just blatantly the fault of Dr. X... and in those cases, Dr. X should pay for his mistakes.  But smaller, more common med mal cases need to be capped.  One way of managing healthcare costs - med mal insurance rates go down, they don't have to charge as much for services.  So, to recap - services to citizens who contribute.  Take care of the elderly and disabled - again - a country that does not care for it's most vulnerable is not a good place to be. 

6) Balance the budget.  Stop the pork projects.  $ goes to medical research - our scientists should not have to stress about where their funding is coming from.  There are too many people in this country who are living with diseases and conditions that are treatable.  We need to enable in the right way - enable our best and brightest to figure out the problems that we are living with.  $, indeed, makes the world go 'round... but beltstraps must be tightened, big boy and girl undies must be put on... there might be some cuts that have to be made that some are not going to like.  I'm not one to lean toward Machiavellian philosophy, and words like "The Greater Good" are rarely spoken... but there will be some who are unhappy with some cuts, unhappy that their pet project isn't funded...That's life. Move on.  Things need to be fixed - they've been broken far too long.

7) Drill, Baby, Drill.  Stop our dependence on foreign oil. Tax credits for those implementing "green" energy sources - solar generators for folks in AZ, wind energy for those in the Plains states...et cetera. Gas is so expensive for political reasons - not because we don't have the ability to do something about it.

8) Two Words: FLAT TAX.  Eliminate the IRS. Do you have any idea how many BILLIONS of dollars I just saved us?

9) Encourage people to prepare for a rainy day.  Dependence on the government is a bad thing. 

10) Educational programs for lower income folks who are trying to get out of poverty. Nutrition classes for parents.  Breastfeeding education. Natural childbirth education (to avoid unnecessary c-sections, saving tons of $$ in medical costs, avoiding complications).  Empowering people and families to rise above their circumstances.

11) Lessen dependence on modern medicine by educating folks about natural hygeine, gardening, natural preventive medicine, healthful diet, getting back to an agrarian lifestyle - even for those who live in an urban setting.  Our separation of many degrees from our food is the basis of many problems in our society.  Reconnecting to our food is a good step in solving many issues (obesity, type 2 diabetes, medical issues caused by food additives and preservatives, behavior issues caused by artificial food additives, etc.)

12) Legalize backyard chickens for everyone.

13) Get rid of the involvement of high-powered lobbyists that end up costing the average American money (big pharma) and our health (dairy lobby).

14) My secret weapon?  Two Words: Jack. Bauer.

I'll let you know when I need help gathering signatures and fundraising... I'm sure it will be a snap with such a good base of friends!  :)

Have a great day, Friends.

Spring Has SPRUNG!

Hello Friends,
   I apologize for my absence, but am thrilled to report that nothing bad or even minorly irritating is going on, just life, happening at a break - neck pace.  Since you were last with me, we've traveled to our Nation's Capitol and to historic battlefields and to historic "haunted" bridges and back.  We've experienced a difficult loss, it was jolting for me, but a shocking loss is much different for an adult to process than it is for a child.  Jonah had that one moment in a person's life... the moment when your mortality becomes crystal clear.  Unfortunately, this wasn't just the moment in time when he realized his mortality, but the person who died had an accident after having a seizure... so this was a terrifying "flash forward" for a 10 year old who has Epilepsy... and who's brothers have the disorder as well.   In a moment, a million thoughts and fears entered his mind and, as you can imagine, it was not pretty.  So we endured, made our way home (this happened at the hotel at the conference) and tried to move forward.  There were no smiles on my sweet boy's face for many days.  Then, last Sunday, that changed.  Papa (Grandpa) called in to me, right after I had been outside working and came inside to take a break and whatever it was... I knew it was big and I needed to move (even if I felt like taking a nap!).  I asked what it was - inevitably, it is something with an animal and I need to grab supplies before I leave the house.  His response was beautiful, I knew instantly, and I did need to attend to the issue, but I needed to get the boys first... Jonah needed this.  So I called for the boys, grabbed my goat vet kit and slipped on shoes and ran outside.  For your benefit, this is the cleaned up version of what I found when I came outside (along with Jonah's first smile in nearly a week).

                 Aren't they wonderful?  Isn't he wonderful?  Isn't God's timing AMAZING?  I wasn't expecting the babies until more than a week later, but God had other plans! 

 So, Spring on the farm is a life-affirming mixture of a whole lot of messiness... :)    Baby animals, plants popping up, both old familiar perennials that we love to see return each year, just yesterday, the daffodils bloomed, the tulip leaves got taller, I found tiny mint plants sprouting up, wild onions are going wild, chives are starting to come up, rhubarb's curly green leaves are fresh and small, the small, spiky beginnings of  horseradish, the strawberry patch (the constant Spring reminder that God provides) made it through the winter and the pointy leaves are enjoying basking in the sun as much as the barn cats, and an assortment of flowers are showing their green leaves at an alarming rate.  I'm almost holding my breath... the thought of lilies (asiatic in all of their amazing splendor, daylilies in their simple beauty and lilies of the valley with their delicate small flowers), daisies, black eyed susans, columbine, irises and even my hosta garden... I eagerly await their arrival and know I won't be disappointed when they get here.   So, in addition to all of the wonderful things that we've planted and come up every year,  we have a garden to plan.  As always, our garden takes on a life of it's own.  The past three years have seen a certain child getting ill and needing to be in the hospital *right* at the time that the weather warms up and plants bolt... including weeds... so it has been a rough few years for gardening... this year... MUAHAHAHAHAHA.... I have a plan.  No, really, I do.  (You know that saying about the best laid plans... yeah... I have NO plan)  I don't have a plan that will prevent illness, but I do have a new garden site picked out that is going to lend to our successes in the gardening realm.  The boys and I discussed our plans, what we "need" to plant and the sustainability plan that we've been working toward.  So, when the weather turns and we can plant outside... there's nothing holding us back.

  This year's plans include selling produce (we've not figured it out if we are selling at a farmer's market or if we will sell from the farm, more thinking to do), building a chicken tractor so that we can keep more chickens and sell eggs, as well as give away eggs to friends and neighbors, increase the expected yield of the garden so we can decrease our dependence on grocery stores, as well as increase the amount of produce that we freeze and dehydrate.  Since George had her babies, we are also excited that we can start milking again, which means not only fresh milk, but homemade yogurt and cheese as well.

  Spring is an exciting time on the farm.  We get to see God's creation first hand and it is such an amazing thing to realize that He made these things from nothing, and He made them with us in mind.   I often wonder how Creation can possibly be denied.  I look at a seed, one simple seed, and I see an eternity.  God's provision for His people blows my mind.  You plant ONE seed... you get not only something to feed your family, but you also get many, many more seeds to continue to bless your family and friends and community. 

   With that, for today, I leave you.   Beautiful Sunday, My Friends. 

Planning and Preparing for a Journey

Hello Friends!

  I do believe, it may just be... that Spring has Sprung!  Temperatures have been in the 50's here and it is beginning to feel like Spring!  Not a moment too soon...The calendar doesn't see Spring starting until next week, but it has definitely begun! (YAY!!!)  Windows open, birds chirping, kids wantin to play outside... have I already cheered?  The sunlight and longer days sure do make me happy.  I wake up earlier and get more done... just this morning, I've already walked the dogs, done two loads of laundry and cleaned and frozen about 15 pounds of strawberries.  I'm at the tail end of a migraine hangover, or I would have had more done by now.  I just love productive mornings!

  So, plans are firming up for our Washington D.C. trip!  We leave next Friday... today is already Wednesday, so that means 9 days and we're outta here!  Traveling with kids, as I'm sure you know, can me mind numbing... it just seems like so many details.  Traveling with a Jonah requires so much more on the detail scale.  I think of traveling with Daniel (Jonah's twin... Daniel has Epilepsy as well, but his is treated very well with just vitamin B6 ), and Daniel packs his own clothes (and actually remembers to pack Socks, underwear, swim trunks, and matching clothes, along with a comic book and fantasy baseball magazine to keep him occupied).  I have to pack a bottle of B6 when traveling with Danny... I check his backpack, stuff the B6 in there and he's set.  (ahhhh... I don't ever intentionally call him the "easy" child in front of him, because I believe he still needs the attention and love that the most difficult child might need... but, really... truly, he is such an easy child... sigh)  Jonah on the other hand... (my headache is returning just thinking about this trip with him) he will pack a backpack, even when given instructions on what to pack, he'll pack a pair of swim trunks, a nerf football, 3 airsoft guns with ammo, an orange, a can of root beer, a comic book, a coloring book, his DS and 3 DS games.  He'll come downstairs and announce that he's ready to go. He'll ask me if I've packed snacks, ask permission to have a root beer (which he's already packed) and tell me he'll meet me in the car.  It always goes the same.  It only took one trip of me NOT checking his backpack (and me frantically running to the store to get a couple pairs of sweats and t-shirts for him) to realize that this is his preparation.  In his sweet mind... he's set.  He's got food (so what if it is just an orange and a can of root beer), he's got swim trunks and some things to keep himself occupied... he's good to go.  He'd be ready if we were going to a clothing optional resort (whch I mention only because I found a place nearby that is a nudist campground...a "family friendly" nudist resort.  I was looking for the phone number for the bowling alley... and found that... wow, who knew?) Anyhow... packing Jonah's clothes is the least of my concerns... I mean, of course, I have to make sure I've packed seamless socks, sweatpants (with tags removed), tagless t-shirts, three different pairs of dress pants and jeans so that he can try on and choose which pair doesn't bother him on the day that we need to be dressed in normal clothes (i.e. not sweats)  and his preferred type of underwear, one size too large as to not bind or constrict unnecessarily.  So... once clothes are packed to specification, meds come into play.  A week's worth of meds in his pill box, plus extra in their original bottles in case we have an emergency... and, for the sake of transparency and so you can get an idea of the magnitude of traveling with a Jonah... his meds for one week fill a carry on size SUITCASE, not a carry-on toiletry bag... a SUITCASE.  Sigh.  So, meds packed, now we need to pack ice packs and medical supplies.  Syringes, infusion supplies, injectable meds, alcohol wipes and chloraprep dispensers, dressing change kits, masks, gloves, single-use cold packs, bandages, his knee and ankle braces and spoons and applesauce (all natural, no HFCS) to take meds with, inhalers, alcohol free hand sanitizer, baby wipes and petroleum, paraben, dye and frarance-free oatmeal lotion and benedryl cream as well as hydrocortisone cream and benedryl, pepcid and epi-pens.  I think that covers his meds for a week. (And I sneak my tylenol in there too... cuz I usually need it!) 
   So, "We don't travel light.", is an understatement.   But, probably, the most mind-numbing part of traveling with a Jonah is trying to see into the future.  Making mental contingency plans for all possible bad outcomes that could potentially occur...you all know that the "what if" game is a dangerous playground... and I try not to do too much "what if" in terms of how things could be different, but these mental contingency plans - not only having a solid "Plan A", but a decent "Plan B" and a set of satisfactory "Plans C - T", are vital to surviving with a Jonah.  Generally, as long as he's allowed to sleep as much as he needs, he is fed and watered regularly and is granted liberal time in the swimming pool and running around in open fields to his heart's content... he's an easy child... Contingency plans come in handy when we have to be in a conference room at 8 a.m., when we have to leave the hotel at 6:30 a.m., when swim time has to be pushed to the evening and when lunch is delayed because the metro is running late...that's when the orange and can of root beer come in handy.

   All the planning, preparations and contingency plans in the world, however, can't begin to surpass the most important part of our journeys.  God's grace is always with us.  God's grace covers a cranky Jonah who hasn't had enough sleep, and covers cranky Mama who was up with cranky Jonah.  His Grace washes us and gives us new beginnings and fresh starts.  His Mercy sees to it that even if Plan B doesn't work... Plan C will work just fine.  He graciously reminds me that, yes...I need to prepare and have on hand the things that we need, but He's got it all covered.  Without fail, my bag of tricks, my mental baggage that I pack to prepare for a journey, is just like Jonah's backpack... I've packed it with things I want... not with things I'll need.  He packs that preparatory bag for me...so, for another day, I can get through traveling this journey, being prepared for anything that comes my way.  Just as Jonah's grateful that Mama has packed him a toothbrush and clean clothes, I am grateful that God has packed away an extra dose of Grace and Patience for me to use when I most need them.