I'll be home for about another week, and my mom and I haven't watched nearly as many movies as I wanted to watch. So, Matt H loaned us "I Am Legend" and we attempted to watch it last night.
Yeah, right.
Matt got Death-Glares from a distance all night. We had to turn it off. We were both pretty scared. I had strong words for him too.
I read the plot synopsis today on the internet, and it sounds like a really good movie. I would like to try to get through it again, but last night it just wasn't happening. I cannot stand rodents, and Infected vampirish rodents are even worse.
Anyways, we're planning to get "The Dark Knight" on Netflix. I can't wait to see it. I've also been watching random episodes of "The Twilight Zone" which quite possibly could be my favorite TV show now. Every modern show is pretty much junk.
Oh, and I've been updating my Goodreads.com list, so look me up under "Elliot".
Yuck. We've got a Winter Storm warning until Sunday morning. Did I mention it's only a week until I go back to Florida? :)
Emilie and I watched the music video for Taylor Swift's song "Tim McGraw". A few things struck us:
1. The boy's truck is awesome, and we both want it. The paint job isn't great, but it can be fixed.
2. He lives in a log cabin. It was pretty sweet.
3. He looks like Elvis. I'm serious. The shape of his face and the dark hair makes him look just like him. :)
That's one of the only Taylor Swift songs I like. Most of them got overplayed.
Good friends, good books, and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life.
--Mark Twain (1835-1910)
I hope you all had a merry Christmas. We did. Other than an injury and a long car trip which resulted in us getting to bed at 3AM.
On Christmas morning, my brothers got us up at a quarter to six. We went down to look in our stockings and book boxes. My favorite superhero is Cyclops (from X-Men), so I got soap in a bottle shaped like his head. :) I also got an Irish Whistle, which made me very excited. In my book box, I got, most notably, The Invention of Hugo Cabret and Inkdeath. There was also the guide to the Uglies series, Bogus to Bubbly.
After going out to help my dad do chores (He got hurt on Christmas Eve), we came in to open presents. I got my dad the Dukes of Hazzard TV soundtrack; my mom a book by Joshua Chamberlein and an Andrews Sisters Christmas CD; and all of my siblings Mayberryopoly. They got me: a bow sling (Ethan), earrings (Eli), an awesome literary quote book and a literary crossword puzzle book (Emilie), and a stethescope, Inigo Montoya shirt, lots of earrings, 1001 Books to read before you die (I've read 50), and 1001 Movies to Watch Before You Die (I've seen 45). (All from my parents) My grandparents got me a Peasall sisters DVD.
I wore my Inigo Montoya shirt to our family Christmas thing on Sunday. Only my one cousin knew what it was. That was sad. It's an awesome movie. We exchanged gifts there too, and I got Rascal Flatts piano music, the soundtrack to Finian's Rainbow, an Elton John CD, swedish fish, and two thick classics I've been wanting to read for a while. We went to my aunt's house after that, and didn't leave until 10:30. We got home at 2:30 AM. I had to be at work at 6 AM. After working until 1PM, my mom picked me up because Emilie wanted to go shopping. We got back at 3:30 and, after eating something and attempting to play What Hurts the Most, I went to bed. I slept until 8:30 this morning. I feel pretty good now.
So, that's pretty much been my weekend. Have a great day!
It was a cold and dark December night But a star still lit the sky Away in a manger you heard a baby cry It was the cry of the Son of God A little baby boy Born in that manger to bring the world joy. So hush up little baby You know not what you'll do You'll bring the world peace and love And teach them while you do You have nothing to fear because you know God is with you all the way That little important baby Born on Christmas day. Many people soon gathered round that tiny run down barn They knew not of what they saw Then came three all dressed in fancy robes, silks and furs This was the first indication of the importance of his birth. So hush up little baby You know not what you'll do You'll bring the world peace and love And teach them while you do You have nothing to fear because you know God will lead the way That little important baby Born on Christmas day. We expected a soldier to save us from our plight All dressed in shiny armor, ready for a fight But instead he sent a little baby boy All filled with love happiness To bring the world joy. So hush up little baby You know not what you'll do You'll bring the world peace and love And teach them while you do You have nothing to fear because you know God will lead the way That little important baby Born on Christmas day. That little important baby Born on Christmas day...
Merry Christmas everyone!
For the Life Sountrack post! Put your mp3 player on random, and put the song that comes up for the next blank on the form. It can be pretty amusing. I'm almost ashamed to admit that I have Plus One on mine.
Opening Credits: The Wrong Side of Memphis-Trisha Yearwood
Waking up: When Your Spirit Gets Weak-Plus One
First day of school: Me and God-Josh Turner
First crush: California Girls-Gretchen Wilson
First date: Crocodile Rock-Elton John
Spotlightdance/birthday party dance: You Don't, You Won't-Billy Gilman
Breaking up: California Dreamin'-the Mama's and the Papa's
Depression: My Heart is Set On You-Point of Grace
Getting back together: You Found Me-Kelly Clarkson
Wedding: All You Get From Love is a Love Song-the Carpenters
Birth of a child: You Put this Love in My Heart-Boyz in the Sink
Final battle: Sing Out-Celtic Woman
Death scene: Fortunate Son-Creedence Clearwater Revival
Funeral: Spanish Lady-Celtic Woman
End credits: Happy-Ayiesha Woods
I flew back from school on Saturday for the Christmas break! It's really good to be home.
School went really well. I have great roommates who enjoyed dressing me up for Fine Arts and whatnot. Classes went really well, and I expect to have As in almost all of them when my grades get mailed to me.
On the trip home, I met a girl in Detroit who lives in Erie, knew my great-aunt, and is going to start attending the church we're going to start attending, who also goes to PCC as a nursing student. It's a really small world sometimes.
I'm looking forward to watching A LOT of movies now that I'm home. My mom and I watched XMen last night. I love that movie. We also want to see Big Fish, The Matrix, and Blue Hawaii. I can't seem to find Blue Hawaii, so if anyone has it, let me know!!
I got to buy a Garth Brooks (!!) CD today, and also The Nutcracker Suite. We've been listening to a lot of Christmas music, including the Brad Paisley Christmas Cd. It's really good. Especially Penguin, James Penguin. And there's a song that he wrote when he was 13 that starts with his 13yo self singing it, and then he starts, and then they finish together. It was amazing.
So, that's a little bit of what's been going on. I'm curious to see if people not logged in to homeschoolblogger can post comments, so if you don't have an account (coughauntchriscough*), could you please try to post a comment? Thanks!
I know I planned to not post again until September, but I wanted to post about Archery Camp this weekend. Even though I missed half of it, I had fun.
Saturday we started out by shooting the 3-D course. They let us break into our own groups, so Emilie, Kayla, Katie, and I made a group. Nicole took us out, so Paul came along too. We were "The Girls and Paul" group, and then just the Girl group. We also took pictures of everybody out in the woods. When we went back to the clubhouse, we had a presentation on "Leave No Trace". I had to leave for work then. (It was my last day!!) When I got back, all the older boys had left and they were just getting ready to eat supper. We ate corn, and then s'mores. We watched Matt try to dry out his cell phone. And I got bit. By something. It swelled to about the size of a nickel. Then we went home and practiced our song for church the next morning.
When we went to camp the next morning, Nicole and Mr. B. were the only ones up. I wouldn't say they were quite awake. We watched Paul ("I feel like I died") move around pretty well for a dead guy. We were eating breakfast when I looked at my wrist, which was badly swollen by now. It was all red. I tried sting relief pads on it, but they didn't work. Mrs. C. went home and got her charcoal and made a poultice for me. We kept switching it every two hours, and it's back to normal today. My theory is I got bit by a mutant mosquito. So, warn me if I start exhibiting mosquito-like characteristics. Mr. B gave a wonderful devotional after breakfast. After listening to one of the ladies explain the next activity (During which Kayla and I had to turn away we were laughing too hard), we went to church and performed my offeratory and our special music. Then we skipped out and went back to archery camp. We sat around and talked a lot. And watched Rachel get burned at the stake. And laughed hysterically at Matt R.
Last night we went to the H's with the C's. We had hot dogs and talked a lot more. It was random. And I no longer have bandaids on my arm, so I can't be made fun of anymore. Ha.
It's been pretty crazy here as I've been getting ready to leave for school next Wednesday. We've been watching the Olympics with great interest. Especially swimming. It's good to see that Michael Phelps appears to have grown up some since the last Olympics.
Saturday night we went to a bonfire at the C's. It was a lot of fun, even if I do have bug bites all over my legs. We set off fireworks. Correction: the 10yo boys set off fireworks. Jacob with a lighter...scary.
On Wednesday we (Emilie and I) got shots, which didn't hurt as much as last time, but were still painful. We also went to the library and looked at scrapbooks from the Waterford Fair. It was fun to see all the pictures of everyone so little. There was also a picture of Garrett W selling his pig. I was in it a couple of times, and Emilie was in twice. I also had a dentist appointment...no cavities!!!
Tomorrow's my last day of work and the first day of archery camp. I'm really looking forward to both of them. I have no idea what to expect. With the people that will be there, it's bound to be a lot of fun.
So, I'll leave next Wednesday, and go to my aunt's house 4 hours away. The next day, with my aunt, we'll make and app. 8 hour trip to my uncle's house. Then we'll make the 8 hour trip to Pensacola, Florida. So, I'll try to write here when I get down there, but if I don't write by September 3rd, it's probably safe to assume I can't access HSB from the web server down there.
Namarie, my friends.
This weekend was our 4-H Roundup. It was crazy from Wednesday until Sunday.
Wednesday was a day of work for me and rushing around getting ready when I got home.
On Thursdsay I taught my last swim lesson until next summer!!! 
Ethan was excited because I moved him up to the Guppy level. I also got my computer and iPod.
Friday was the busiest day of preparation. I got up at 6 and washed and sheared my lamb. After that I washed my cow. I finished up my record books, finally. After that, I went with Papa to get the milking equipment and drop it off at the fairgrounds. I also got the Dummies book for the OS of my computer. It's a Mac. When we got home I clipped Staccato's head. Then, Buffy, Steve, and Scott came with the trailer to take everything to the fairgrounds. I washed Staccato again and got ready for the fitting contest. I ended up winning Senior Fitter, so that was exciting.
On Saturday I was up at 5:30 to do chores. We went to the fairgrounds at around 7 and washed sheep. It was cold and wet. At the show, Emilie got Champion Showman, and I got first in my fitting class. Eli ended up getting Grand Champion Market Lamb and Mikayla got Reserve. He was excited. I showed Staccato in the Dairy show and got Grand Champion Milking Shorthorn. There was only one other Shorthorn, but the judge said he wouldn't change anything about her. We had general projects judging all afternoon. I got rosettes for my crocheting and breads, and a blue ribbon for my archery project. Eli got the rosette for his archery project. Emilie showed her steer in the afternoon. Boy, was she mad at him. He acted up a lot. She has open blisters from the halter rubbing on her hand. We had a huge storm that night while we were fitting pigs. I think it hailed.
When the pig show started, we thought Eli's pig (Bartleby) would be the wild one. She attacked him in the wash racks. But, when I went out for showmanship, Gonzo went nuts. She ran back and forth, only stopping to pick fights. I'd follow her around, stop a fight, and follow some more. The judge must have liked my style because he placed me second. When we came back out for type, she decided to root around in the sawdust. Then she flopped over and rolled around in it for a while. She did place second, when the judge could see her, and ended up getting reserve lightweight champion. I was laughing too hard from her flopping over to really do anything. I think I went out with a bang.
So this weekend was really fun, and really long.
Currently listening to: Red Dirt Girl~Emmylou Harris
Currently reading: The Princess Bride~William Goldman; The Battle for Skandia~ John Flanagan
There were several things I wanted to post about, so here I am. First of all would be the Mercer Jackpot Show. All four of us took our sheep: Aza, Scooter, Belladonna, and Death. (That's the sheep, not us. See if you can match each lamb to the owner!) Emilie did very well in showmanship, making the cut and placing sixth overall. Ethan got an awesome shirt. I wish it were bigger, I would wear it. We all won something useful, and we had a lot of fun. I got an awesome black halter. We call it the Zorro halter.
Even though Ethan got a cool shirt, I got a cooler one. It's red and has three garden gnomes on it. Across the front it says: "Chillin with my gnommies" I saw it at Steve and Barry's and couldn't resist.
Secondly, I made my first payment on my tuition tonight. I leave in 27 days. Scary. I'm also planning to buy my computer sometime next week, either from a store in town or off the Apple website. Supposedly I'll get a free iPod since I'm a college student too. My mom almost has my formal dress done. It's so beautiful, I didn't want to take it off. I'll post a picture when it's done. I'm hoping to keep posting on here while I'm at school, but if I can't, and you want to get in touch, please leave a comment on my sister's blog (iRhomeskoold).
Lastly, I wanted to post about two pieces of media I recently consumed. (NO, I didn't eat them.) I finally saw Batman Begins. It was wonderful. I've never been a huge Batman fan, but this was good. They didn't do quite enough with the Scarecrow, but he was still scary. I loved how he would take off his glasses when he would intimidate someone. Christian Bale did an awesome job as the Dark Knight, I couldn't believe he was the same guy who was Laurie in Little Women. Batman's fear of bats was a very nice touch. The second piece of media was the book The Lost World by Michael Crichton. The swearing in it makes it hard to recommend, but it was an interesting read. Just a warning, it was pretty anti-creationist and very pro-evolution. Just like the movies. I've never read the first book, Jurassic Park, but I did watch the movie. I've never seen The Lost World. It did expose the loopholes in evolution, but insisted that creationism was not the answer. Uh-huh. I had no problem reading this because, like this book, evolution is a work of fiction. It's no more real than someone creating dinosaurs from DNA in fossils. It was interesting to read because some people do believe all he said about evolution. What a scary thought. I think I'll watch the movie now, if just for Jeff Goldblum. Although he's not Jewish in the JP movies. *sigh*
Have a great weekend everyone!
Well the preacher says when your time is up
You take a chariot to the lord
Well I'm hopin' my chariot's
A torch red Thunderbird Ford.
Since Emilie is not posting during the summer, I feel compelled to post and keep everyone updated with life here. We've been busy this weekend with the Waterford Heritage Days, which were kicked off with the Waterford 5K. I finished with a time of 35:28, which was a little less than a minute faster than my previous 5K time, so I was excited. It was a pretty challenging course and very hot. I was happy I wasn't last and that I finished.
The rest of Heritage Days were spent looking at vendors (Krazy Kyle's, anyone?), watching the parade, the book sale, watching celtic and bluegrass bands, and being held at gunpoint by Jacob. Fun. I got some awesome "new" books at the booksale. We (Kayla, Katie, Emilie, Me, and Brittany) wondered why the W's were stalking us. Or we were stalking them. Nobody's really sure. I got to see "my" Thunderbird in the parade. My mom got to see "her" Mustang. Kayla and I kept repeating: "Ridin' in the 'STANG"
Today is Emilie's birthday. She's 15, so stop by her blog and say "Happy Birthday". I got to take her to her very first concert, and it was a hopping rock one at that. We had fun. Great sister-bonding time. Even though we "bicker" a lot, we really are very close. Not many people see that. She also got an...interesting gift from Katie, Kayla, and KaylaR. I'll wait and let one of them describe it. I can't do it justice. We also shot the 3-D archery course today and I won!! That's a first. I only missed five targets, and I scored two 11's (Perfect shots). She said it's the best birthday she's ever had.
My weekend was pretty crazy. Well, weekend being, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.
On Saturday we went canoeing with the H's and C's. My dad even got to go, so that was exciting. We started out with me, Emilie, and Eli in one canoe, but then Emilie wanted to go with Kayla and Katie, so we got Matt. Then Ethan joined us. Remind me never again to ride in a canoe with three boys. It wasn't that bad. (Emphasis on that) We spent a lot of time swimming. I managed to trip on the same rock twice and bruise my hand pretty well. It was a really great time, except I didn't wear my glasses (If I had, I'm sure they would be in Pittsburgh by now), and had a really big headache by the end of the day. Aunt Kathy, Uncle Mike, and Steve and Trish came over that night. We gave Trish a tour of the farm. Jamie attacked Steve.
Sunday was my graduation party. Mrs. D. came over to help us get ready, and Peter brought Aunt Emma, Uncle Pete, and Aunt Mary. It was a lot of fun, even though it was windy. Kara and Chris came, which was exciting. Chris leaves the day before I do for the National Guard. I got to see some of the babies that were born and I never visited. Bryan once again was vexing. (Oh look, you were cute at one time.) I got flowers for the first time. The A's gave me a dozen white roses. They're so pretty. And I had mints thrown at me. No names will be named. *coughKatiecoughMattcough*
Monday was the ECHO picnic. I got incredibly sunburnt on my arms. Just because I got lost in my book while sitting on the bench.
I need to go get ready for work right now. Have a great day!
We spent most of yesterday at PIFA with the H's, C's, and R's. After eating lunch together, most of us went down to a deep spot in the creek and waded. It was cold. I didn't go very deep, but everyone else was in up to their necks. Granted, they were sitting down.... I left fairly soon to go sight in my bow. I didn't really perfect it on Sunday when we shot the 3-D course. I was shooting with a guy who was going bear hunting in 2 months. He has way more faith in his shooting than I do.
We sat around and talked for a while, then we tried to leave, but the H's van wouldn't start, so we waited with them until (to make a long story short) Matt came and picked them up. It was just starting to rain. It rained hard. This morning it hailed. Scary.
I'm just now working on fletching my sister's arrows. She abuses them so bad, she only has one complete one left. I love my dad's fletching jig, it's slow, but it works really well. Downside: the glue smells really bad and gives me a headache. Oh, well.
It's been a while since I last wrote, so here's my week in review:
Last Friday I worked and got my hair cut. I can still pull it back (somewhat) but it's not very long. My mom made my graduation party invitations. It rained really hard with really bright lightning.
Saturday we went to the IBO shoot at GCOC. We ran the novelty shoot and also tried to shoot in the 4-H shoot, but it rained too hard. I got a very cool "Range Official" shirt. It's way too big, so I wear it as a sleep shirt. That night was the Moonshine Shuffle 5K race. I helped run the registration table. Ethan and Eli ran the kids half mile run. On a sad note, my cow died. I had Jazz for six years, and it was really hard to see her go.
Sunday I wasn't feeling well, so I stayed home from church. I think it was heat and stress, because later in the day I felt better. The boys put together Eli's 3-D archery target; Mama and Papa moved the chicks out into the yard; Emilie and the boys shot the 3-D target; I mowed the back yard and let the lambs out to graze. I had the hiccups and decided not to shoot.
Monday I mowed the front yard. Nothing else comes to mind. I think I read a lot.
Tuesday I went to work from 5:45AM-7:00PM. LOOOOONG Day. Everyone else went to the Eagle's Nest picnic.
Wednesday I worked on Math. Though I graduated on the 11th, I still need to finish Calculus.
Thursday I also worked from 5:45-7:00. The early morning guys were rehashing Vietnam. I kid you not. I also got a really bad headache during the last hour, and was looking kind of green by the time I got home. An hour of sleep really helped.
Friday(today) I moved Staccato (Jazz's granddaughter) into the barn. She walked really really well for never being walked before. Then I addressed envelopes for graduation party invitations, licking every single envelope.... 
Yuck. I then went to work until 6, came home, ate, walked Staccato, and did chores. We just finished getting ready for the Pork Quality Assurance workshop tomorrow. I might add some avatars to the sidebar, then I'm going to go to bed.
Currently Listening To: Rock Swings~Paul Anka
Currently Reading: Ever~Gail Carson Levine
Currently Watching: The Godfather
I know my senior trip was over almost two weeks ago, but here's the rundown anyways. We left Wednesday morning and started off to Indiana, PA to visit the Jimmy Stewart Museum. It was a really neat museum, and we got interview by a newspaper guy. We figured no one would ever see it and know who we were, but someone did, and we got a copy of the clipping. Apparently there was a big to-do there for his centennial birthday. The sign there said that Pookahs got in free. If you haven't seen his movie "Harvey", you won't get it.
After visiting my aunts, uncles, cousins, and Grandma, we left Thursday for Gettysburg. We visited their big new visitors center, and went through the super long museum. After that, we were sick of museums. I talked my mom into not doing the driving tour and doing the walking tour instead. So, we went out and toured the cemetary, saw where Lincoln gave the Gettysburg Address, and where they commemorated the GA. (NO, they're not the same place-weird) Then we walked down the Union line on Cemetary Hill. We stood by the Copse of Trees and looked at where Pickett's charge would be coming from. It was a long way to come-charging for your death. We then drove to Little Round Top and looked down the hill. Quite scary-I can't imagine fighting there. Then, we found the place Colonel Strong Vincent was killed. It was very cool. That night we went on a ghost tour, but it was a little bit too focused on the occult for me. The history stuff was very cool, but just a bit too creepy to be walking up dark alleys at night. Then, back to our hotel room (after getting lost....)
The next day we did the rebel side of things. We took pictures of the General Lee monument (He's my brother's hero) Then we hiked half-way up Big Roundtop and started up Little Round Top. We then took a detour down to Devil's Den, The Peach Orchard, and the Wheatfield. (Ironically, there was wheat growing by the Peach Orchard and the Peach Trees only came up to my chest.) We walked back to the car and drove back to Little Roundtop and walked back to where the 20th Maine was positioned. "We" being me, my mom, and about six schoolbus-loads of ninth-graders. Then, we went back to town, bought Christmas presents for my brothers, and ate at Rita's. (BTW, blueberry gelatti is excellent) The shirts I wanted to buy for me and my sister weren't there, and we completely lost one of the stores we had discovered the night before. I fell asleep as soon as we were in the car and slept most of the way back to my aunt's house.
Saturday morning was the Spring Fling Jackpot Show. I showed my lamb at about 2 or 3 in the afternoon, and we didn't get out of there until 9:30. I rode home with the trailer, and I walked in the door at 1:30 AM. I got to sleep in Sunday morning, and then do everyone's chores; since they were all at my aunt's house, not wanting to drive home that late at night. So, that was my big trip. Now we're just trying to get ready for evaluations next week. On top of that, I'm working a 30 hour week for the rest of the summer. And my supposedly 10-page research paper is staying stubbornly at 7-pages. *sigh*
This is just a quick entry,but I wanted to point out the links and life verse I added to the sidebar. The links are some of my favorites, and the life verse is also my favorite.
I'll write a longer entry later all about my senior trip and the Spring Fling, but school is pretty heavy right now. (Look at the ticker above!!)
Have a blessed day.