Bragging Rights

I don't tout my children very often, not that their achievements 

don't merit acknowledgement, but more for internal enjoyment 

for themselves. 

Because frankly, success is short lived and failure is our teacher. 

Wow, that sounds harsh doesn't it!?!?

It's a time to celebrate Samantha Harris, and her latest achievement.

Samantha has been playing volleyball for the past six years at her

school(s) and various volleyball clubs in southern California. 

Her passion and proficiency is displayed every time she is on and off the court,

at every practice and of course in every game. She has strong and respectful 

leadership skills as captain and co-captain positions that are always 

growing her to new levels. 

She has also been on the National Honor Society for the past six years. 

Samantha displays tremendous agility, speed, and strength, that has been 

acknowledged thought out the years by various coaches, scouts, 

parents, and players. 

As a freshmen in high school she accepted a open

position on the varsity team, for two years. 

With much family discussion it was decided to transfer

from a private christian education to a public school education.

Both of my kids did and are currently doing extremely well with 

the new adjustment. Samantha went to tryout's for the volleyball 

program and made the varsity team once again. 

However, as several 

weeks of practice were going on we received a letter to attend a meeting 

with the CIF (California Interscholastic Federation) 

Commissioner, HS Athletic Director, and Varsity Coach,

to informed us of CIF Rules for varsity players in Southern California.

CIF Rules are, any player coming from a high school varsity level sport, 

into a new school, on a varsity level will not be eligible 

to play on a varsity level of the same sport for one season.

Wow, that was a huge awaking for us. Dealing with this new

awareness, we embraced the motto "it could be worse". At least

the rules don't say "you can't play volleyball at all!".

So, the following week Samantha was introduced to the JV Coach,

and players.  Challenges bubbled to the surfaces quickly. Three girls on the team, 

have never played the game before and the other girls have only played the

previous season.  This was a new leaning experience for this very young, seasoned

volleyball player. A new mind set needed to be established, with grace and 

patient. Throughout this season we had a lot of late night long talks, 

tears, frustration, growth, and love. 

And, all of this has again, has taken Samantha to another level of leadership,

with her coaches, team mates, teachers, and herself. 

Last night was the award banquet for the Volleyball program at

Upland High School. 

Samantha received the MVP Award (Most Valuable Player).

We are looking forward to a new club season as well as a new high school

season at the varsity level. 

After years of being a mother, I've come to know a few things. Both of my

children are my heart. The grace and love of God watching over us, has help

all of us become better people.

Blessings to you daily ~

Andrea

c/o 

SissDre

  

Good Morning Joe

Aah ~ New hot tea this morning put a "skip in my hick along" ~ get it?!? 

Kids are healthy again, everyone back to school this day and hopefully

all this week as well. 

Slept thru the thunder & lighting last night, and work up to a 

beautiful crisp morning. 

Have a great day beautiful ones ~ 

Much Love daily

Andrea

c/o

SissyDre

All in a Day ~

Got up early and woke up Teddy...
She looks perturbed, doesn't she?!?!?!

Then headed out to VG to check out the Apple Shop ~ 

Then we took a ride out to "HorseTown USA Norco, CA" ~ Where horses have

equal and more rights then people ~ 

This is pretty neat, the elephant and the zebra pictures are 

painted on palm branches using acrylic paints. 

Love these rocks, each rock is painted with words from the Bible

then heated in the over for about 15 minuets to ensure the

paint is baked into the rock. 

So, we left "Tom's Farm" and took a walk

down the street to see some friends of mine, Joyce & LeRoy 

of "Odds N Ends Rescue".

This is a animal's lover paradise ~ lots of critters

you don't see as regular pets.

Take a look ` 

Really plumb squirrel ~ 

Raccoon Family 

Raccoons are curious ....

Love the little dogs.....

lot of little dogs 

Little dogs hanging with the 20 yrs old desert tortuous

Joyce holding a white bird 

Lovely white bird 

The tortuous smells the apple 

so does the dogs 

everyone wants a bite

This is a white and brown skunk, which has been de-skunked ...

Cat & chicken living quarters .....

Funny pig

Green Bird

Beautiful big black horse 

Prairie Dog

Yes, it was a fun filled and packed day with 

those animals.  

And oh yes, did I tell you, we came home with two kittens

from Joyce & LeRoy's place. 

And here they are, the grey one is Roscoe, and the 

black & white one is Lincoln 

Their 5 weeks old and so very cute....

Joyce, has here own animal rescue in Norco, CA, it's called 

"Odds n Ends Rescue" 

The different Animal Rescue, 

Sorry No Dogs or Cats

951-751-3144 

Oddsnendsrescuel@aol.com

 Joyce is known in the area and beyond the county line,

for her willingness to take in the not so common 

domesticated animal. 

Today I saw baby hedgehogs, a emu, broken winged crows, 

and a African water turtle. 

As you know, the goal of a rescue organization is to acclimate 

the injured or non social animal back into a home or if possible

back into the wild, which is the ultimate success story.

When an animal is received into the rescue it's logged into a 

data base with details of it's history if any, current issues, 

date received, type of animal, and

status of it's condition, and then the observation and 

study begins on the animal. 

Sometimes the stories are very sad and even when the animals 

are brought into the rescue and are taken care of they don't make

always make a recovery. And that's when it gets really tough. The heart 

break is very emotional, but with the sadness comes the strength to

continue the cause to educate and bring awareness to others

on the various concerns owning non domestic pets. 

 Unfortunately its not uncommon to see different domestic puppies & kitten 

dropped off in front of her place from time to time. As well as getting

a picture text with the caption stating "will be put down" in 24 hrs. if not 

adopted when the call comes in. And that's when Joyce gets the kennels 

loaded into her truck & takes a drive to where the animal is & 

usually brings them home to start the rehabilitation process. 

This is how we got the two kittens, Roscoe & Lincoln. 

Neighbors and supporters who know the cause will sometimes

drop off various type of food for the animals. The cost of 

feeding these animals runs approx. $1400. per month.  

I'm so grateful this road of life has crossed into meeting Joyce, she has

enriched my life to a different level more then I could have imagined.

She is the animal rescuer, the antique dealer, the collector, the artist, 

the environmentalist, the spiritual soul sister, the behaviorist, 

the cowgirl, and so much more. 

Capturing moments with my camera are some of the things 

that make this journey of life so wonderful. And visiting Joyce's 

world has touched my heart in a spiritual way. 

I believe understanding that others have interests and passions, 

and hopefully finding one of your own, makes people enjoy 

life a little more. It gives you something to connect yourself to 

others with, and that makes life even sweeter. 

Human or Animal, I'm reminded how much alike we all are.

Thanks for stopping by today & much love to you always ~ 

Andrea

c/o 

SissyDre

Enjoy the Sun ~

A quick hello to my peep friends ~

Christmas Season is officially here!

Remember, it's no about the Christmas presents. It's about His Christmas Presence!

Emmanuel ~ God is with us*

May your travels bring you blessings daily ~

Andrea