Jul. 19, 2008 - An Extra 30 Minutes
Have any of you ever stayed in the car for an extra 30 minutes to finish the book on CD they were listening to because they thought it was almost over?
We just did, and yes the car was sitting in our driveway.
By the way I highly recommend the book The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin.
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Jul. 16, 2008 - I Have Returned!
Why have I not posted in so long you ask?
I just got back from a week and a half long trip to the Arlington Fly-In.
This was the second year for Eyebright and I, (we went last year with our grandparents) but it was the first year for the rest of the family.
No, I am not really interested in Airplanes, but I still have a lot of fun there just hanging out with friends and family.
It is really neat to see the planes (don't ask me what kind of planes they were!) do the stunts and things, but I must admit it's not exactly my cup of tea.
We also got to visit a few friends that we had not seen in about a year and a half. It was great to spend some time with them.
Anyway I'm back now and can get down to blogging again. I cringed when I got my sitemeter report and it said 5 people visiting a day.
I thank the ones who are still checking!
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Jun. 30, 2008 - When the Ink Stops Flowing...
That horrible moment when you realize the ink is fading. The t, is not as dark as the s was. The word you were writing fades into the paper, never to be seen in it's true form.
NO! You can't do this!
You direct the tip of the pen to the top corner of your paper and scribble furiously. "Stay with me!" You shout.
"Come on, you can make it!"
Next comes CPR, you shake it vigorisly, then start mouth to mouth, licking the ball point briskly and scribbling again. "You can't do this to me!"
It's no use, your forever faithful pen is gone, finished, never to be used again.
Someone pats you on the shoulder, and writes all the faster with there special little writing tool as the horror of what just happened sets in.
Then someone steps forward hand outstretched. "Here, take mine. I have two."
Your eyes water, and the tears begin to fall. "Thank you."
The school report is finished in blue ink, instead of black, and the world goes back to normal.
So it is at my house.
Moral: Never waste good pen ink.
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Jun. 23, 2008 - I am a Witness for God
Witness.
I am a witness. That sounds pretty important, but it is even more so when you add, for God, to the end of it.
I am a witness for God.
Wow! Can you imagine what would happen in today's society if you stood at the front of a public school class room and said that to everyone there?
I don't think I want to know.
When I hear the word witness in that context I think, "Someone who tells others what they believe, in this case, about God." If you think about it a little longer though, it takes in a whole new meaning.
Being a witness does not just mean going door to door and handing out tracks. It doesnt mean that you have to go on as many mission trips as possible, and starting new ones when you have enough time.
These things are great, but just because I'm not doing them right now does not mean I'm not a witness.
I am a witness for God, but by saying that I don't mean I have to walk up to people and just start talking to God.
You can be a witness by simply smiling and saying, "Have a great day", to the lady at the checkout stand or by dressing modestly.
You can be a witness by refusing to do what you know is wrong. By caring for those in need.
You don't have to be holding a Bible to be the kind of witness I try to be.
All you have to do is let God's love shine through you.
I am a witness for the Lord.
Are you?
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Jun. 21, 2008 - Homeschool Tag
Alison tagged me with this rather interesting tag, so here goes.
How long have you homeschooled? I have homeschooled my whole life, I started learning at home from day one!
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Jun. 20, 2008 - Enter to win a signed copy!
That will be the name of my post if I ever get my book published. I've got the first chapter done. Yeah, it will be a year, or two.
I did have it written down in a notebook and I was pretty far, the story was coming along wonderfully, but I was running into to much trouble, I had a lot of the things happening all in one chapter that were supposed to be spaced out in the book. I had said one thing in this chapter, but said the opposite in this one. Yeah it was starting to go down the drain, and I would have lost the whole thing completely had I not found the snake to pull it out with.
I've started to rewrite the whole thing, it's bigger, it's better, and I'm hoping to get it published.
Don't ask me what it's called because I have no idea. I have no idea what my chapters are called until after I write them, and I guess it will be the same with the book. I just can't think of THE name yet. All the ones I've come up with so far just don't fit. The Rising Queen, to sappy, A Queen to Fight For, to cheesy, Jewel of Queens, that just doesn't sound right.
As you may have guessed by now the book is about a Queen. It would be called fantasy at the library, but only because she is the Queen of a imagined country.
It is kind of a romance, but I'm not a big romance writer so it won't be getting to steamy.
My biggest goal in this book, is to create emotions in people. When the main character is about to die, I want them to be on the edge of there seats. When something tragic happens I want there eyes to be at least moist.
I want my book to be the kind that you throw at the wall because your so upset, but you pick it up again because you just have to know what's going to happen.
I don't expect for it to become famous, or anything like that, I don't expect it to some day make it to theaters, I just want a modest bunch of people to enjoy reading it, and to say to other people, "Hey, have you read the book by Bluejane? I've heard it's pretty good."
By the way, don't think you'll learn my name by the name of the author when it comes out, because I've been trying to think of a pen name for some time now.
Well I hope this was not to boring for everyone, I just thought I would share about my biggest project right now. What do you think?
The trying to be Author,
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Jun. 6, 2008 - The Masters Hand
Knowing a lot of you on HSB like to play the violin and have been touched by the Masters hand I thought you might like this poem.
The Touch of the Master's Hand
by Myra Brooks Welch
'Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer
Thought is scarcely worth his while
To waste much time on the old violin,
But he held it up with a smile;
"What am I bidden, good folk?" he cried,
"Who'll start the bidding for me?
A dollar - one dollar - two, only two -
Two dollars, and who'll make it three?
Going for three" - but no -
From the room far back, a grayhaired man
Came forward and picked up the bow;
Then wiping the dust from the old violin
And tightening the loosened strings,
He played a melody pure and sweet
As a caroling angel sings.
The music ceased and the auctioneer,
With a voice that was quiet and low,
Said, "Now what am I bid for the old violin?"
And he held it up with the bow;
"A thousand dollars - and who'll make it two?
Two thousand and who'll make it three?
Three thousand once - three thousand twice - and going - and gone,"
cried he;
The people cheered, but some of them cried,
"We do not quite understand;
What changed it's worth?" Quick came the reply,
"The touch of the master's hand."
And many a man with a life out of tune,
And battered and scarred with sin,
Is auctioned cheap to a thoughtless crowd,
Much like the old violin;
A mess of pottage - a glass of wine,
A game - and he travels on;
He's going once - and going twice -
He's going - and almost gone!
But the Master comes, and the fooling crowd
Never can quite understand
The worth of a soul, and the change that's wrought
By the touch of the Master's hand.
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Jun. 5, 2008 - Cake Decorating!
I am so excited! Yesterday was my first cake decorating class!
I had a lot of fun, and I learned so much. We got home at 9:00 that night, and I wanted to make some frosting and practise some of the things I had learned, but we had to eat and then I was so tired I had trouble keeping my eyes open so I had to go to bed. However I will have plenty of time to make some frosting today, and see if I can make a few roses, that LOOK like roses.
Each week I will be making a cake and bringing it to the class to decorate it. Then I get to bring the finished cake home, so I'll be sure to get pictures of them and post them on my blog so everyone can see what I'm learning.
The instructor was really funny, she kept telling us that
"cake decorating is not a rocket science, and if you try something new, it will not blow up in your face."
All in all I had a ton of fun, and I can't wait till next week!
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Jun. 2, 2008 - Wow! What a Promise!
One of my favorite verses is is Isaiah 41:10.
Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
I think the biggest reason why I like this verse is because of the promise it has in it.
I am with you.
I am your God.
I will strengthen you.
I will help you.
I will uphold you.
See a pattern there. God does not say, "Well I'll be with you, but only if you..."
"I'll be with you if the sun is shinning, but as soon as it starts to rain, I'm out of here."
"I might give you strength, I'm not sure though."
HE WILL! He IS my God! He WILL help me, and the sentence ends there. That's it. He WILL uphold me.
That promise means so much to me.
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May. 31, 2008 - Quick Update
Last night was Eyebright's practice for her graduation ceremony. Today is the ceremony itself.
I woke up early and could not get back to sleep so I started my day, and was ready for anything when I saw my sweet little bird laying at the bottom of his cage, dead as a door nail. Cause? Unknown.
After taking care of what needed to be taken care of, I now feel like crawling back into bed.
Maybe I should get a horse.
Yesterday I signed up for a cake decorating class, I am really excited!
Most the time when I frost a cake it turns to crumbs, so I'm really hoping this teacher can work miracles.
I would also just like to say a quick thank you to every one who did a graduation party for Eyebright! That was great!
The BBQ here at our house went really well. It did rain for almost the whole time, but everybody just came inside. That was crazy, can you imagine a small house with 90, or so people in it. You could hardly move.
Anyway, I hope to be posting more after Eyebright is done throwing her party's and marching about on stages. When our life becomes normal once again!
(Will that day ever come?)
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May. 24, 2008 - Happy Graduation Eyebright!
As most of you know my beloved sister Eyebright is graduating today! I think this would be a perfect place to celebrate!
Did I mention that this is also my gift to you! It comes with all the servants you need, a stable with horses. (mind if I ride for awhile?) I am also getting you all the furniture you will need to make it home, but I thought you might like to choose that. (I see a shopping spree in my near future!)
"Speech, Speech!"
I have done a lot of thinking about what I would say in this post, and I guess this is about the whole of it.
Eyebright, you mean so much to me! I am very happy for you, but I am also very sad. You and I have always been together and done the same things (except when you went to Europe and I went to Disney Land)
You have taught me so much. I know it does not seem like it, but I guess that's just because I have not put all of it into practice yet!
I have looked up to you and admired you for as long as I can remember.
I love to stay up at night and talk with you, girl talk, I know you love it too! I love to make you laugh, and no, it's not just because I like to think that I am funny!
I am always looking at you wishing I was more like you, wishing I could be as good as you!
You mean so much to me Eyebright, and I don't really think that this post shows exactly what I mean. I was reading back over it and I think it sounds really tacky and silly, but I'll just have to hope that you know what I'm talking about!
My real gift to you is a party from all of your blog friends! I hope you have great graduation, and don't go away for to long, or to soon!
Your Sissy May
Thank you to FreeFoto.com for the castle picture!
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May. 21, 2008 - Award!
Thank you Renee, for giving me the Fun Blogger Award!
Alison from Alison's Writing Corner!
Lioness from The Adventures of Rufus and Findley!
Arya from The Life of a Christian Musician!
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May. 13, 2008 - "Were You Talking to Me?"
I have a tendency to talk to things. Almost anything, I'll talk to it.
When I'm cooking I talk to my pots and pans, bowls, and spoons. I say things like,
"well that's tasty."
"Sorry about that."
"Your really going to need a scrubbing!"
When I am gardening I talk to the plants,
"I'll water you next."
"I can't wait till you bloom this spring!"
"Your a nasty little bug'a!" (To weed)
I also talk the characters in the books, and storied I write.
"You didn't expect that turn of events did you?"
"You can't go on forever like that."
"What am I going to do with you?"
"Your not exactly what I though you would be."
I do it with the books I read too.
"You have got to be kidding me!"
"That is so cool!"
"How can you not know?"
"Turn around!"
Eyebright catches me doing it all the time, I just don't think she really knows.
The conversation goes something like this,
"You didn't expect that turn of events did you?" (Bluejane to character in book she it writing)
"What?" (Eyebright to Bluejane who is looking wickedly at notebook)
"I didn't say anything." (Bluejane says to Eyebright absentmindedly)
"You did to, I heard you." (Indignant Eyebright to not absorbed Bluejane)
"I wasn't talking to you." (Irritated Bluejane to Eyebright)
(Eyebright looks around the room)
"Who were you talking to?" (Confused Eyebright to Bluejane)
"Myself." (Bluejane to Eyebright)
I'm afraid however, I must confess the last line is a lie, for I never talk to myself, there are to many odd things in books and stories that talk to themselves. Just to name one so you get an idea, Gollum. Enough said.
It drives Eyebright nuts that I don't tell her what I said. The poor girl, I am impossible. I must drive her nuts!
Just a note, make sure you go check out the awesome contest The Backyard is having! You will have to be signed it to see it.
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May. 12, 2008 - Contest!
Guess what! The Backyard is having it's very first contest! Run on over there and see the great shirt that The Homschool Boutique graciously donated for a prize!
Enter and you just might win!
Note: You must be logged in to see The Backyard!
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May. 9, 2008 - Happy Birthday Jocelyn!
First and foremost I apologize for not having a big party for you! Let's just say my mind has been full of other surprises.
I would however, like to say a short thank you for being such a great friend to Eyebright and I!
We truly are blessed to know, and we wish so much that we could be with you for your real birthday party.
We can't wait to someday (hopefully) meet you.
I'm so sorry this post is so short!
Happy Birthday!
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May. 8, 2008 - Bathroom Makeover, and a Giveaway!
I read on The Homeschool Boutique's Blog, that Clan McLeod is giving away one of The Homeschool Boutique's awesome shirts!
I don't know about you, but I'm in this one!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Yesterday my Grammy called and said, "hey let's go shopping." It had been a long day and we were all tired, but my Mom said okay, and away we went.
Stopping at Michaels we found out that they still had these really cute "shoreline accents," that we had seen before. We had thought then that they would make a really cute theme for our bathroom, but decided not to get them after all. This time however, they were on sale, and we decided to go for it.
Our bathroom is really small so we only got a few of the accents, not to mention we didn't want signs that said "RELAXE" hung up in there.
Then we had to go to Lowies to get paint, because the walls in the bathroom would not go with everything.
In the end we have a table full of stuff to redo the bathroom, and a project my Mom said she would let Eyebright and I take care of. How fun!
I'll have to post pictures when it's done.
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May. 6, 2008 - I am not a poet!
I know I said just two days ago that it was not spring where we live, but I think it might be now.
The days have just been so beautiful, and you just want to get out a DO something!
Yesterday for school, I had to write a poem. I do not read poetry most the time, and I do not write poetry.
Anyway I thought it was better then any of the other poems I have written (don't laugh after you have read it! It IS my best!)
A Court of Birds
The King of birds is swift and proud
The Eagle is his name
His talons are sharp, his cry is loud
And all he wants is fame
The Owl is a wise old hoot
Birds look to him for help
But in the end the silly coot
Cares only for himself
As fool of fools the Bluejay rules
His rightful name should be jester
The Eagle calls him to the duels
But all he does is pester
The Robin like a peasant is
The red on his chest shines bright
And though he calls nothing his
He sings with all his might
Pretty silly, but it really is my best.
While going through this poetry unit I have had to write countless poetry such as a cinquain,
Horse
fast, beautiful
walks, trots, canters
races on the track
Horse
A diamante
Boy
Dirty, Silly
Running, Jumping, Tossing
Dog, Ball, Doll, Cat
Singing, Dancing, Sewing
Sweet, Gentle
Girl
A limerick
There was a little terrier
Who stayed only in his carrier
He only came out
When someone would shout
Let's all play with the terrier
A haiku
A bug flies about
A big bullfrog hops about
The bug is dead
Another thing I had to write was an unrhyming poem. For those who don't know my family, we do not really care for unrhyming poetry, calls us unartistic if you like, but we would really rather not read it. The one poem that we like that does not rhyme is The Man From Snowy River, and we just love that one!
Because it would cause me undying embarrassment I will not post the whole unrhyming poem I wrote, I am just going to post the verse that I got carried away with and, well, it rhymes.
The witch cackles
as she holds up the apple
"Eat my child eat"
The girl obeys
The room sways
and soon she lies asleep
My family told me I should take it and write a rhyming poem about it, and told them "you do it."
Laugh if you must.
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May. 3, 2008 - No Really, I'm Still Alive
Does anyone know what it feels like to fall off the face of the earth? I don't believe it, or not.
I am still here. I've just not been in a writing and posting mood.
Our house is all abuzz with preparations for Eyebright's graduation party. I feel as if it has taken over my life.
The good thing, is that with the up coming party my dear Father has found many yard work jobs he needs done, by a girl trying hard to earn money so she can buy a much wanted horse.
The weather has been very odd here. I can not safely say spring has sprung, because it might snow tomorrow. One day it's 90 degrees and the next it's 30. I'm never sure what to put on in the morning.
However the flower bulbs planted last fall have sprouted and some of them even have buds by now. I can't wait till they bloom!
Well, I must apologize for such a short post, but I really can not think of another thing to say. I keep thinking of great posting material, but then I go and do something and forget all about it. I think I'm losing my mind!
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Apr. 24, 2008 - My Blogoversary!
Tomorrow I will have been blogging for 1 year. I can not believe I have been blogging that long, I can't believe I've been blogging at all!
One thing you don't know about me, is that before I started a blog I was completely against it. To tell you the truth I couldn't stand blogs. They drove me nuts.
Why was I like this? I was being selfish, my Mom had just started a blog so she was really excited about it. I didn't like the fact that she was on the computer and not with me. Then my sister started one. Nothing could be worse. Two of the most important people in my life were (in my thinking) devoting there life to, what was it called again? Oh yeah, homeschoolblogger.
They didn't really spend that much time on there, but it sure seemed like it to me.
At first my brother agreed with me, but alas! When left in a house full of bloggers, if not strong minded you soon start to think like them. I came home from an overnight trip to my grandparent house to find that he too had joined the life of a computer zombie.
Alright enough of that stuff. I did, after looking at HSB and talking to my Dad, (I thought he was against blogging as well) start a blog. One day in April I simple asked Mom if Eyebright could help me start one. Eyebright's jaw hit the ground and my blog was born.
Now one year later I have 93 GREAT friends, I have written 100 entries, and 476 comments, I have also received 505 comments.
I have changed my blog template 3 times. (Actually I'm thinking about changing it again)
The first template I ever had was the popular horse lovers template on HSB.
The second one,
The third
I also just started a story blog, you can look at that HERE, and I Eyebright and I have been running The Backyard for about a year. You can read the first post on my blog HERE.
I am so glad I started blogging, I have learned so much, made a ton of awesome friends, and had a blast learning how to make templates. I love to blog, and am so glad I started one!
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Apr. 22, 2008 - A Camping Trip
Well I thought you all might like to hear about the camping trip my family and I just got home from yesterday.
Using our new motor home we took a drive down to Shaniko, a little ghost town in Oregon. This was a little sad as we found out that almost half the town was for sale. It appeared as if everything would be closing and Shaniko would once again be a ghost town.
We stayed the night there and the next morning to a drive through quiet a few of Oregon's little towns. This would include Maupin, Kent, Grass Valley, and Moro
Here we decided that this was a very nice little town, and stayed the night. The next morning bright and early we headed off again this time visiting, Biggs, Arlington, Ione, Heppner, Pilot Rock, and stayed the night at Pendleton. The next morning we were up bright and early to go for a Pendleton Underground Tour. Sadly, we found out later that the tours were closed that day and we could not get one.
However we did get a tour at Pendleton Woolen Mills, and went to the Tamastslikt Cultural Institute.
After this we got back into town and got a bite to eat at a little place called Main Street Cafe.
From there we headed home stopping in many different little towns along the way.
I could post pictures, but I really don't want to get the camera and load the pictures onto the computer. I could say that I will post pictures of the trip later, but I probably never would. Don't worry though, we didn't get any really good pictures anyway.
The best part of coming home was when we stopped by the mailbox and I found a package addressed to ME!
It was from my SSA! She sent me a cute little photo album, a Junior Mints Lip gloss, and two awesome book marks.
To my SSA: Thank you so much for the gifts!
And so I say goodbye,
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