Posted in ramblings
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Well, i finally found a quick and easy way for me to get here to post. 1. i go to my bloglines - a quick click on my "links" bar ( if you are not using your links bar, you need to! As Wheezy (sp) says - "Loooooove it!") 2. I click on Leann's RSS feed 3. I click at top of her feed to go to her site 4. i read it then log in and come here. LOL! I said quick and easy "for me"!! At any rate, this way my bloglines get open and i switch to Angie's while Leann's page loads in a new window; I read Leann's, then post in my own plus I get Angie's read. And yes, those are the only two blogs in the entire vast blogosphere that I am able to keep up with. How sorry is that????
I purposed originally in this blog to try to do more day to day blogging. A few people have shared with me they would be interested in that, so I will try. Also, I really love reading Leann and Angie's blogs about their day to day so I hope mine will be interesting also.
Today John came home! WOO HOO! He was in Indiana campaigning with the RNC for Mike Sodrel. He went last year to Va. to campaign. What an awesome opportunity; it looks GREAT on his transcript; it prepares him for his future calling; and it is just plain fun! If you would like your HS child age 13-19 to have this opportunity, please go to HSLDA.org and hunt around for info on Generation Joshua. It is a group started by HSLDA and run by Patrick Henry students and it is a vast wealth of great opportunities and info. I will try to post a link here sometime when I have one handy.
They lost. bummer. but they worked their fannies off. John said they worked way harder this time than last year. Kudos to John for being top phone banker at 1,045! The average was 600-700 and the next highest was 800 - so he really worked! He said he had one Vault, one Mt. Dew, and 6 Cokes! (all diet) and one 15 min break. For being top caller EVER he got an autographed pic of Congressman Sodrel (he was congressman when John got the picture. lol, he isn't today! well, i don't actually know when they are sworn in but you know what i mean). There are only 20 in existence, so it is a big deal to him. He genuinely liked the guy.
He was again impressed with the Patrick Henry students. They run the Generation Joshua part of the campaign and work harder than the GenJ kids - who work ridiculous hours very hard! It is just a fantastic time and a great opportunity.
I was sick all the time John was gone. SO unusual for me! But I believe I am on the mend now - had to actually break down and take antibiotics which then gave me a yeast infection. I took Olive Leaf Extract and I felt better - literally - in HOURS! If you have a challenge with yeast, please do try the Olive Leaf Extract. It is amazing stuff.
We left Roo's shoes at McD's Sat. Mr. W went to get them Monday and they were gone, but I did not ask if he asked for them or just looked. So I will find that out and go from there. If they do not exist, I guess Roo will get new ones. Always something around here!
My mom and dad have had the twins all week and bought them tons of new clothes! Each got a winter jacket, socks, several tshirts, 2 ps jeans, 2 ps dress pants, and ski masks! Aren't grandparents great!? It comes from me letting my boys pack themselves mostly. LOL - I told Mom next time they come (they go every month and Papa takes them to get their hair cut - a blessing for all) she is to make them a list to pack by. If they do not have all on the list, they cannot go. For I am not going to pack for them - but after buying all these new clothes, I think she deserves to have them come with what they need. I have not addressed the issue of who will check the list yet. I vote Mr. W!! LOL - for he is also good at enforcement. They can lay them out neatly on Daddy's bed while he is at work, then it will be very easy for him to check the list off. Yes, I believe that will work. Think Mr. W will go for it? The man is truly just amazing and wonderful!! He really is! You deserve to meet him just cuz everyone should meet someone so wonderful!
My mom totally spoiled me today. You know I have been ill all week but had to go get John today. I asked her last night if I came over today (she is halfway in between my house and where I had to go to get John) would she make me pancakes? On her round cast iron (antique) griddle she still has from before I was born?! She said yes of course. So i did, and she did.
I was feeling pretty awful when I got there, so I ate my pancakes. ALONE! YES, REALLY! the kids were all watching the tv (we don't have "tv" here, only dvd's) and roo was asleep in the van! noone even wanted any pcakes, altho several had not eaten yet that day. oh well. . . then i went to take a hot bath. again, BY MYSELF! noone even knocked on the door - oh, well, yes, Josh did. Had to go potty. LOL - but still. Noone came in! ha ha ha.
I was still feeling poorly after the bath, so I had some chicken soup. I felt pretty rough clear up until after I got John. I think the meds finally did more or maybe it was just John. who knows. I was sick all the time he was gone - maybe he is just magic? He has a LOT of his Dad in him - he is quite close to wonderful himself!
N E way, now I am feeling quite almost well. About time! I have got NOTHING done all week! Oh me oh my. I also need sweeper bags and that is on the agenda for Friday. Sat is the football game and I will work concessions, so I won't get much done then. Of course we don't work on Sunday - so I guess this house will be a wreck until Monday when I have GREAT and GLORIOUS plans . . . to go to my friend's house and clean for her. Sheesh. Her 6yo daughter was recently diagnosed with diabetes and it has been unbelievable trying to get her on an even keel. She goes from 45 to 600. Ridiculous! So Robin has been pretty overwhelmed. I saw her house, and she needs help. She is to host Thanksgiving for 30-40, so she needs her house cleaned. I am hosting nothing, so mine can wait. I also have way more older kids than she does. Hers are 15, 7, and 6.
Well, Roo is up asking for me and needing his benadryl so I am going to close. I hope this has not bored you to tears! Pray for my house to self clean or something cuz my schedule is pretty full! (Do they make those? My freezer deices itself and my oven will clean itself, why not my house???)
Til next time - Jo out |
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I deliberately left out BIBLE - most of us would have that in several times - you can put it in if you choose, i just chose not to:
1. Five books that have changed your life. a. The Greatest Miracle by Og Mandino (you need to read Og!) b. John, Son of Thunder by Ellen Gunderson Traylor (she has several other historical biographies as well) c. Autobiography of George Mueller by well. . . um. . . oh yes . . . d. This Present Darkness by Frank Peretti e. Sold Out by (i think) Coach McCartney. yes it is - Bill McCartney, founder of Promise Keepers, offers a dynamic game plan for men who are ready to trade worldly success for greater intimacy with God, their spouses, and their children.
2. Five books you think everyone should read. a. The Greatest Miracle by Og Mandino b. Captain's Courageous by Rudyard Kipling c. A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens d. The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis e. Hans Brinker and the Silver Skates by Mary Mapes Dodge f. Treasure of The Snow by Patricia St. John
3. Five books that made you cry. a. The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis b. A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens c. Fearfully and Wonderfully Made by Philip Yancey & Paul Brand d. Sacred Romance by Brent Curtis and John Eldredge e. Just Like Jesus by Max Lucado
4. Five books you still don't understand. a. On Walden Pond by Thoreau b. Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin c. Autobiography of Billy Graham d. Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams e. The Mitford Series by Jan Karon
5. Five books on your "to read" list. a. The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning b. On Walden Pond by Thoreau c. Autiobiography of George Mueller by him d. Franklin Graham's newest book e. Just Like Jesus by Max Lucado
6. Five favorite fiction. a. Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis b. The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien c. Treasures of the Snow by Patricia St. John d. The Darkness Novels by Frank Peretti 7. Five favorite non-fiction. a. On Walden Pond by Thoreau b. Autiobiography of George Mueller c. Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis d. Basic Christianity by R.W. Stott e. A Question of Yams by Gloria Repp 8. Five all time favorite kids books. a. Cat In The Hat by Dr. Seuss b. Ferdinand the Bull by Robert Lawson c. Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman d. The Monster at The End of This Book by Sesame Street e. I'm Glad I'm Your Mother by Bill Horlacher 9. Five books on your "to buy" list. a. The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning b. Ferdinand the Bull by Robert Lawson c. All the Max Lucado I do not have d. All the C.S. Lewis I do not have e. Common Sense by Thomas Paine
10. Five books that would make great shims. (Use them to balance your bookcase) a. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte b. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck c. Lord of the Flies by William Golding d. Harry Potter books e. Anything by Edgar Allen Poe
We have a reading list all of our children must read in order to move out of our homeschool. Mostly classics, with a few other great books mixed in. If anyone is interested in having the list, post me a comment and I will get it to you. It is in a database format and rated for level of difficulty/maturity and also I and 3 or 4 of my kids have rated the books according to our own perceptions of them - scale of 1 to 5 with one end being "don't waste your time" to the other end which is "DO NOT MISS THIS".
Additions to my list I would recommend if: ~if you love animals - anything by James Herriot ~if you want a fresh view of life in Christ - anything by Max Lucado ~if you need to be inspired especially as regards working with people - anything by Og Mandino
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Posted in ramblings
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I do not know what a meme is, but I love them! Tonite I caught up on two of my friend's blogs - Angie and Leann. Both are here at hsblog, we all used to be at xanga together back when blogging was newer. I've been friends with both of these ladies since I was just using a mailstation yeeeears ago! The twins were little and now they will be 11 on 12/28. looong time in the world of net.
Both are GREAT bloggers and I am sure you would enjoy them as much as I do! Check them out! We were all pregnant together with our last ones - all 3 boys born within months of each other. LOL - what an incredible blessing!
N E way, I got inspired by their blogs and came up with my own meme tonite. I will post the q's, then add my answrs in a bit. I am a total book lover - and these ladies are too - and so. . .
1. Five books that have changed your life.
2. Five books you think everyone should read.
3. Five books that made you cry.
4. Five books you still don't understand.
5. Five books on your "to read" list.
6. Five favorite fiction.
7. Five favorite non-fiction.
8. Five all time favorite kids books.
9. Five books on your "to buy" list.
10. Five books that would make great shims. (Use them to balance your bookcase) |
Posted in ramblings
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Good grief! it took me half an hour to FIND my blog! I was inspired to return here and blog cuz my daughter is now at HB! Woo hoo! I would direct you to her site, but I have no idea how to get there. That info will be forthcoming in the next blog. Did not realize it had been that long since I had blogged! We've been busy of course - like all of you. School is going fairly well. I keep telling myself it will be easier next year when Roo is 3, not 2. He is very high maintenance! Joshua is doing character studies this year out of a book someone gave us and it is THE THING. We both are really enjoying it, learning, sharing, etc. and i think it is making a difference and will continue to as we go on. I am looking forward to the next two doing it also. They are twins, but i am not going to have them do it at the same time. One first, then the other. My kids (I am sure they are the only ones) have an awful time with "losing" things. One kid one book is more than enough! My second oldest turns 17 this month. I like that. Know why? LOL - cuz she will be over compulsory age. ha ha - no more freaking out about record keeping. Isn't life hilarious? I met two girls this past year who got tossed out of school, one 17, one 16. So I thought if i just sent my kids to school and let them get kicked out then i wouldn't have to keep any records at all. They weren't into it. Even tho my 16yo knows 4 ways to get kicked out! Other than the new character studies, it is reading, writing, and rithmetic as usual with social studies tossed in and science ALL THE TIME! I love science and everything is science! Of course you can call a lot of things social studies too! I have tons on my list TO DO - ballroom dancing, first aid course, and more. But it waits nicely. I graduated my first, and I feel very good about who he is and what we did. We did not cover everything I wanted covered, but I still felt good about it. I listened to a VERY edifying program today - Chip Ingram LIVING ON THE EDGE. He was talking about parenting/raising kids and he said there were three things that showed your children had transferred their dependence to Christ from their parents. He said, "I don't want to raise my children to be independent." It was a good point! The 3 things are: 1. They make wise decisions. 2. They keep their committments. 3. They genuinely care for others.
Looking at those, I can be very pleased at how John turned out. He really does love the Lord and has a passion for Christ. He does genuinely care for others, and he has long made wise decisions and kept his committments. Even when they were unpleasant. All around he is an incredible young man and we are SO proud of him! In thinking on that today I realized I need to tell him. I have and I do think he knows, but I am going to tell him again just because I think you can never hear it enough. I don't know if anyone is interested, but I think I might post some parenting "stuff" on here as it comes. I have a lot of thoughts on the subject. I know I will post a "thought" i penned not too long after John's graduation. On seeing our children as potential rather than as problems. Let me go look for that now. I hope to increase my readership on here. If anyone has any ideas on how to do that, let me know. I guess I love an audience. LOL Jo out |
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"Hollywood is...about self: self-congratulation, self-promotion, and above all, self-protection. This is human and basic, but let's not kid ourselves. There is no greatness there in the Kodak Theater. The greatness is on patrol in Kirkuk. The greatness lies unable to sleep worrying about her man in Mosul. The greatness sleeps at Arlington National Cemetery and lies waiting for death in VA Hospitals. God help us that we have sunk so low as to confuse foolish and petty boasting with the real courage that keeps this nation and the many fools in it alive and flourishing on national TV." Ben Stein |
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can you think of any other kind of grilled sandwich than tuna or cheese?
"The most wasted of all days is one without laughter." e.e. cummings
The same physiological changes that occur with real laughter also take effect when you only pretend to laugh!
The average child laughs 40 times a day.
People are more likely to laugh in groups than alone.
Women laugh more than men, except when they are listening to women. - now, do men laugh at women more than women laugh at women? - or do women tend to gossip and whine with each other and not laugh? - or do men just not listen to women?
Less than 20% of laughter is in response to a joke.
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Posted in ramblings
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I got tagged by Leann who wrote: "Posted in Organizing Life at Home
TNMOMTOMANY and | |
Posted in ramblings
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Take all the words available in the human vocabulary and read them from the dictionary, and you have only a list of words. But with the creativity and imagination God has given human beings, let these words flow together in the right order and they give wings to the spirit. Every child ought to know the pleasure of words so well chosen that they awaken sensibility, great emotions, and understanding of truth. This is the magic of wordsa touch of the supernatural, communication which ministers to the spirit, a gift of God. Gladys Hunt Honey for a Childs Heart |
Posted in ramblings
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I need more friends!! Leann is down there all alone by herself!! Any other large families?? Any other life junkies? Ragpickers?? |