My computer that locked up in February is at the shop right now. The tech told us he's never a seen a virus like what infected my hard drive and that it may be completely impossible to remove files. [sigh].  Even with my backup disks  from barely a month before it failed, there's still a lot of work lost.  So, the summer reading I've planned is out the window. Somehow I've got to become tech savvy or at least literate before the next school term. Ick.  I had planned to finish reading Paradise Lost this summer.

Hubby has a laptop that we use now. It's neat, but it's hard for me to get used to not having a plug-in mouse.  As much as I enjoy using a computer, and as thankful as I am that my husband is employed in a tech-related field, sometimes I just need  pen and paper.  My Dad's oncologist was trying to use the same model during one appointment and getting frustrated trying to take notes and click all the right things. Next appointment he appeared with paper and pen and informed us, "I need a pen to feel productive. "  We're such dinosaurs.

One of my Sunday School students bought me a journal for Christmas. How I love pretty BLANK paper, ready for me to compulsively make lists, essay as the mood hits, pen prayers/poems/praises/songs, and even doodle in the margins.  Maybe losing the computer isn't such a tragedy after all.

When I read essays or hear discussions about handwriting not being necessary to a good curriculum, I cringe and shudder. Not write? Confined to keystrokes? Is communication becoming distilled to clicking shortcuts with no sense of the beauty of language? Say it isn't so!  HORRORS! 

Yes, I know I'm a tree-killer by clinging to my paper habit.  So be it. Sometimes, I just "need a pen to feel productive."

Since we don't have satellite or watch local channels either, I had never heard of this movie. But hubby surprised us all with a Friday movie out instead of renting one.   It's great. I didn't think they made movies that families could watch anymore. THIS is it.

The little old man was a hoot. I won't do spoilers, but I have to mention that he had a hearing aid that kept whistling.  Honestly, my husband and I were rolling we were laughing so hard. It reminded us of my Dad. His hearing aid does that all the time. We have family come to visit Dad and we'll sit in the yard, make a little fire at night, and enjoy the night sounds of whipporwills, katydids, and Dad's hearing aid. He has no idea it's whistling, and nobody will say anything to him about it. 

Imagine--about ten or twelve people all visiting Dad with cancer, and being very polite to not mention his whistling hearing aid. But we all want to scream because it is so highpitched. Every now and then someone's eye will twitch nervously, or another will start to fidget in their lawn chairs uncomfortably, or someone else will pretend to stretch when they are actually trying to cover their ears with upraised arms. I don't mind to tell Dad that it's whistling, but sometimes I don't say anything just to see what everyone else does. I know, I'm bad.

Anyhoo--you've got to see this movie. We'd take Dad, but I don't think he could hear it and probably no one else could either. But you'll love it.

When Hubby's mom was sick with cancer, my little gray cellphone decided to call it quits.  So we got a Razor [ or is it Razr?] phone in Houston with enough discounts that they nearly had ot pay us to take it. It's been pretty good too--I really got attached to my phone/camera thingy.

Now Dad's sick and this phone is ailing. The computer died too. So we need a new phone for me since I'm having calls from Vanderbilt hospital all the time.  We can replace my old one free with a similar one. I told hubby, "No bells and whistles. Just something I can talk on and maybe take some pics of the kids. I don't need a phone that can program the VCR [DVD, now I guess] and tell the microwave to make me some popcorn. " 

Being the ultra-smart telephone guy that he is, he gave me some news that really surprised me. He told me that some new phones are coming out soon that will give you the ability to program your TV when YOU'RE NOT HOME!  Now how cool is that?  We got rid of our satellite because when we had time to watch something, everything was yucky with a capital YUCK.  But if they ever come out with that microwave feature we might could use that.

By the way, Hubby ordered me a phone with bells and whistles anyway. He's so good to me! Not that I'll figure out how to use them.   LOL!

We had a near disaster this weekend. No, it wasn't the four-foot long serpent in the backyard that hubby dispatched to eternity. And it wasn't the fact that we were REALLY low on diapers and formula.  My nearly useless cell-phone that keeps dropping calls wasn't it either. [Sorry Cheryl--I don't think we ever did finish our conversation!]

No, Mama was out of tea!

All I had in the cabinet was a big old Lipton family size bag---not a drop of Earl Grey, English Breakfast, or Yorkshire to be seen.  I can go without a lot of things--and have--even to the point of wearing long hair because it's cheaper than going for haircuts all the time, to the point of wearing REALLY old clothes [blouses and shirts my Grandma wore], to the point of glueing the heels on my church shoes with rubber cement rather than buy  new ones.  I had a little Grandma who lived through the Depression and was a frugal woman. She taught me all her secrets of "Make-Do and Get By".

But I have to have my tea.  I only mentioned it once on Saturday.  By Sunday evening, my sweet hubby was so thoughtful and kind to bring me a box of English Breakfast tea! Or maybe it was merely self-preservation...:-)

Anyhoo, last night at church my pal Gail hands me a gift card to Walmart. "What's this for?" I asked.

"We gave gift cards to mothers with the most children here on Mother's Day. I didn't get yours to you till now. "   Isn't that great?

So today I added to my stash of the good stuff--boxes of Earl Grey and Vanilla Caramel teas. The sirens and DEFCON 4 signs can be turned off now--the disaster has been averted.

Wasn't  it  Karen Andreola who coined the term "mother culture" to describe the need for homemaking-homeschooling moms to refresh themselves? Today, the business at hand required me to stay home and wait for several important phone calls. Instead jumping into 1,001 things that all need attention, I chose to have a small bit of mother culture this afternoon.  Some Psalms, some passages in 2 Corinthians and 1 Peter, and some lovely poems made excellent reading.  It was a welcome time to slow down and watch the baby nap on the porch and big brother and sister play in the yard, and even have a quiet tea-time. How long ago was the last one? I can't remember!

Here's a poem I particularly enjoyed.

 The Coming of His Feet

Lyman W. Allen

In the crimson of the morning, in the whiteness of the noon,

   In the amber glory of the day's retreat,

In the midnight, robed in darkness, or the gleaming of the moon,

   I listen to the coming of His feet.

I heard His weary footsteps on the sands of Galilee,

   On the Temple's marble pavement, on the street,

Worn with weight of sorrow, faltering up the slopes of Calvary,

   The sorrow of the coming of His feet.

Down the minster aisles of splendor, from betwixt the cherubim,

   Through the wondering throng, with motion strong and fleet.

Sounds the victor tread appraoching, with a music far and dim---

   The music of the coming of His feet.

Sandaled not with sheen of silver, girded not with woven gold,

   Weighted not with shimmering gems and odors sweet,

But white-winged and shod with glory in the Tabor light of old---

   The glory of the coming of His feet.

He is coming, O my spirit, with His everlasting peace,

  With His blessedness immortal and complete;

He is coming, O my spirit, and His coming brings release--

  I listen for the coming of His feet.

The two older children have "walking pnuemonia" and the baby has RSV. It's been--shall we say---interesting.  We've been hip deep in Snot, Vomit, and Poop---sounds like a bodily-functioned-themed 60s folk trio, doesn't it?  Now I have pneumonia as well. We are praying that the baby doesn't develop pnuemonia. She's been to the doctor's office every day but one since last Friday because the doctors are very concerned about her little lungs.  We think, though, that the worst is past.

We put off our regular school lessons for another week--maybe more-- to allow the children to recuperate.  We have settled them in the living room rather than their separate bedrooms because it's more convenient for me to care for them all together.

The end of the dining room table resembles a dispensary, complete with dosing schedules, medicines, and nebulizer tubing and masks in a ziploc bag for each child.  Thermometers, hand sanitizer, facial tissues, and cough drops are all on hand. Hubby picked up some disposable plates and cups which has been an enormous help. I made labels with each child's name that we use to keep track of who is drinking from which cup.

The kitchen counter looks like a lab. The nurse at our pediatrician's office said  the nebulizer equipment [ not the tubing] has to be washed after each use with soapy water and then soaked for 30 minutes in a water/vinegar solution to sterilize it. So, we have three large glass bowls labelled with each child's name to soak their stuff in.

We turned the whiteboard into a chore board. Daily chores are listed down the left side and the days of the week across the top. That way hubby and I can just check off what we've done. That's been such a help because by the time he gets home from work and asks what I need help with, I have sometimes forgotten what needs to be done.

We have managed to do some "educational" work. We have some good movies and LOTS of books and kids' magazines. My son read The Three Musketeers yesterday. All of it. I'd intended to assign that book later in the year but he picked it up, began to read, and then would call out, "Hey Mom! listen to this part!"  I guess that qualifies as narration!  Thelma Lou read Mouse Soup.  They both have been reading some Clubhouse magazines, Answers in Genesis for kids, and  My Big Backyard. My daughter is fascinated with numbers. She likes to try to stump me with problems she's made up.

I promised them that I would let them play some stuff on the computer today.  A few years back, I bought Cindy Prechtel's Using the Internet in your Homeschool.  It's going to come in handy over the next little bit. The children are still so tired--even though they are doing better--and some educational games or virtual tours might ease them back into learning and our regular schedule.  Mrs. Prechtel's book has saved me so much time over the years--I highly recommend it.

Well, that's life for now at the Doehill Homeschool,  er, Hospital. At the rate we're going we should have our medical deductible met by around 2 pm this Saturday! All joking aside, though, I am very thankful to the Lord Jesus for not letting this get as bad as it could of been. Once, Charlene Darling stopped breathing and my husband performed first aid. We got her to the emergency room and they were able to help her. It could have been very different, but God saw otherwise!  We thank and praise Him for His goodness.

We are winding down to the day when I can hold this little bundle in my arms instead of grabbing my stomach when she decides to pull her "I'm a baby mule" kicking act.  We are all so excited around here. Big Brother certainly is holding out for a boy. Now that's faith!  He said, "I've heard those tests can be wrong. I may have a brother yet."   I've got to get a few more things, but by this weekend, we should be officially ready...I hope!

School is going well. We are actually where I thought we'd be in most subjects and a little ahead in others. I've had to make some adjustments, though. Doing the Plants Grown up and Polished Cornerstones materials on Tuesdays and Thursday is too much. So, quite simply, we've dropped that part for now.  However, we are using "The Brother Offended Checklist" and our "Blessing Chart".  These are so easy to hang up and reference as needed!  Doorposts materials are, in my opinion, well worth the price.  We've also switched to working through the book of Matthew and our weekly Contenders for the Faith and Keepers at Home projects are going well.

We've had to work like borrowed mine-mules, but that two-week vacation when we bring"Charlene Darling" home is getting much closer!  The kids seem to enjoy the feeling of accomplishment at how much THEY have done. They really like the praise from their Dad, too, over their hard work.  They are more able to work independently than before and I think that's going to be an asset in several ways. One, they practice being self-motivated and disciplined. Two, it helps lighten my load tremendously. Three, it will give them a legit excuse to not be around when diaper changes are needed....

My outside activities are pretty much at a halt---well, after today they are. Contractions, fatigue, etc. have all forced my husband to tell me: "Hon, STOP!"  That was Sunday  night. I said if he could just bear with me until Wednesday, I ought to be able to slow down.

So after getting the church library out of storage and restocked on shelves [we had to store it during a recent remodel], three doctor appointments, cooking for a bereaved family at church, getting women's group flyers printed, Sunday school lessons ready, teaching two at home, killing weeds around the sidewalks, yanking up half our small garden, umpteen loads of laundry, grocery shopping, picking up garbage that a neighbor's dog spread across the back yard,  errands in town, beginning to sew a skirt, and scrubbing the kitchen floor [yikes! I hope hubby doesn't read that], ALL since Monday afternoon, I think I'll try to rest at least by Friday. But Saturday is ironing day and we have a young adults get together from church and a family reunion and I was supposed to sing at church this coming Sunday night....you get the picture.

Whew, I need cup of Yorkshire tea and a long Psalm to relax!

Better plans and a more organized approach to record keeping for school has made a  huge difference in this year already.  And I LOVE  the Bright Ideas Press materials [type it in the CBD search box in my sidebar]. Mystery of History 2 and Christian Kids Explore Chemistry are outstanding texts with fun projects. Hats off to those folks--they've got this homeschooler as a repeat customer.  They are easy to use and flexible, but are academically "meaty".   Besides, I like supporting products BY homeschoolers FOR homeschoolers.  There are so many choices these days for homeschoolers, some quality, a lot not, that I just prefer to keep our homeschool buck supporting the people who "get it." 

I'm hoping to get some pics of my  latest completed projects up--Thelma Lou's yellow gingham dress and Charlene Darling's baby blanket. My cell phone's camera function isn't cooperating with me.  We also took a trip recently to Fall Creek Falls State Park and got some pretty good pictures. Just can't get them downloaded to the computer and thus uploaded to the blog.

Thanks everyone for all the sweet comments here recently. Your prayers and friendship are valued! I'll be commenting back very soon.

In CHRIST, Gin

I've got to crow just a little because I have a feeling that my taut ship will sink  later on in the school year. I'm going to enjoy this smooth start while I can.  This is an odd time for us to start back to school. We never start this early, but with baby number three on the way, I'll have to have some time off later in the schoolyear. No doubt our schedule will change drastically then!

By the way, I don't put my children's real names or pics on the web---they go by codenames on this blog, related to the Andy Griffith Show. Kid 1 is Earnest T. Bass, kid 2  is Thelma Lou. I'm torn between Charlene Darling or Josephine Pike for baby #3.

School is going very well. We're getting done earlier than we ever have, accomplishing more than we have before, and have free time in the afternoons. WHOO-HOO!  Here it is 12 noon and the kids are through with Bible, reading, science, grammar, spelling, handwriting, math, and our Contenders for the Faith/Keepers At Home lessons. We're done with laundry, lunch, and getting ready to run some errands in town.

We've also canned peaches, shucked/frozen corn, and gotten the house in a little better order. Not perfect, but better.

Pinch me, is this MY life? The perpetual running-behinder?  I need to remember this incredible start by commemorating it on the blog.  One day soon when I'm up at 2 in the morning with Charlene/Josephine, I'm going to remember with fondness that once, once upon a time things went like clockwork.

"Nesting" doesn't quite cover the urge to completely re-organize around here before the baby comes. It's not just me--even hubby has caught this fever.  While he's working on finishing the garage, shed, planning to re-do the kitchen and bathroom floors and painting the inside of the house before the big day, I'm sewing, crocheting, and having a "TOTAL PAPER MAKEOVER."  A total physical makeover wouldn't hurt, either.  Yikes, it's time to renew my driver's license photo and I just realized looking at the old one---I'VE HAD THE SAME HAIRDO FOR TEN YEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Regarding my last post on homeschool organization. I certainly didn't want everyone to think I had detailed lesson plans done for the year, or even the next few weeks. NOT SO!  Real life creeps in too easily and can upset overly detailed plans.  We have orderly textbooks for some subjects [ admittedly I may play fast and loose with the teacher's guides/lesson plans with those] and general goals for everything else. I just try to have a notebook to keep plans, grades, attendance, and lists together for school. 

Our  weekly goals include books to read and lessons to cover in various subjects.  I purposely leave time at the end of the school year with no plans at all in case we need to play catch up.  Our textbooks have very detailed plans, but the subjects I plan out myself don't. For example, we have a very relaxed and informal approach to reading. However, both children love to read, we have  flexibility in this subject, reading isn't turned into a chore, and the older student has consistently tested very well in reading skills. 

On another front in my never-ending battle against clutter and disorganization, I've added a new section to my planning notebook.  Sewing patterns! Why I didn't I think of this before? I've often trusted my memory too much when I find a good sale on material. I've tried making a list on notebook paper with the pattern number, a brief description of the pattern, yardage, notions and such.  but would look up the pattern at the store to view the picture anyway. I needed the pictures.  So,  my  six year old daughter was given the job of copying the front  and back of my sewing patterns using our printer/copier.  Now I have a picture and all the details for each to carry in my planning notebook.

My planning notebook is simply a three ring binder with paper and tab dividers--but no calendars. After years of trying to keep everything in one notebook,  I  have found a small purse size calendar to work the best for me. The big planning notebook is where I put prayer requests, household information [clothing sizes, what type battery the cordless phone uses, printer cartridge numbers, etc. ],  running to-do lists, book lists, sewing patterns, grocery shopping/meal planning forms, our church's prayer chain list & address directory, and lots of blank paper to write, doodle, and plan. It stays at the house or comes with me on shopping trips only.

Since hubby has the home improvements well in hand, the school plans are good to go, and the house is being decluttered, all that's left is to get baby-ready again.   One side of my daughter's dresser has been cleaned out to make room for baby clothes. It's time to set up the baby bed and get the linens out of storage.  The baby  stroller and car seat need cleaned.  Whew--I'm glad I kept eveything from the last time. A friend is bringing by a changing table next week.  Now that will be oo-lah-lah, considering I just changed the other babies  on a towel on the bed!

Besides diapers, wipes, and rash cream, the only new purchase I'm planning on is one of those dirty diaper storage thingys.  I know I'm not being environmentally friendly here, but I have NO desire to put dirty diapers in my washing machine, bath tub, or even Great-Granny's cast iron wash kettle. Yes, I've read all the "dangers" of disposable diapers, but I'm a decent enough mother to not let my child sit in a dirty or wet diaper forever!

I have great respect for folks that do the cloth diaper thing and are back-to-nature kinds of people, but I'm not one of them anymore.  We were "back to nature" when it wasn't "in"  for financial reasons. I like modern advances in technology that allow us to have indoor toilets [didn't have that where I lived when I was younger], washing machines [Mom didn't have one until I was in middle school], dryers [didn't get that until I was nearly out of high school], central heat [ carrying wood and emptying the ash bin were not my favorite after-school activities], and reliable electricity.   It's kind of like the story a tour guide in Charleston once told me. She drove a horse and buggy giving tours of the city and upon telling her Grandmother of her new job, heard , "But honey, our family has worked for years trying to get out from behind a horse's rear!"

So there you have it----Doehill this week in a nutshell or nutcase as the situation warrants. Speaking of nuts, I just made the best cake.  It tastes like a peanut butter cookie.  Here's the recipe:

Nut cake:

Don't preheat the oven, but do grease a 12 cup bundt pan and set aside.

Cream two sitcks butter and 1 1/2 cups sugar. Be sure you use real butter not margarine.

Chop in the blender [ on low or you'll have peanut butter] 2 1/2 cups mixed nuts. [about 1 small can].  Add 1/2 cup flour to the nuts and set aside.

Alternately add 6 eggs and 2 1/2 c. self rising flour to the butter/sugar mixture. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla, then fold in nuts.

Spoon batter into the pan, bake at 300 degrees for an hour and half. Cool and unmold. YUM!

Have a great weekend y'all!

Well, let's see. HH still has a kidney stone.  After 7 days we have dubbed it "The Rock That Won't Roll."

My Dad's second eye surgery was horrible [he wasn't completely numbed] , but he's doing better now. Now at least the cataracts are gone and all he has to do now is have two cornea transplants. Oh, yea.

My uncle is home and seems to be much more comfortable. He isn't getting better, but he's glad to be resting at home. He was looking forward to some family coming in from out of state to see him this weekend.

And the dogs. We have a lovable yellow mutt that has a couple of bad habits.  One is that he has a taste for chasing skunks. Now he likes to dig holes. Make that "hole". Not many, just one, and in a certain place.  Right where my Queen Elizabeth rose, piney roses [peonies], and glads used to be.

At least he left the tomatoes alone. Even he knows that no one should mess with Mama's mater plants.

Our daughter frequently likes to tell us, "I'm a country girl, Mom!" which is even cuter when she says it with a lisp after losing two teeth last week.  Her brother, not one to say much of anything without thinking it through, has agreed. "Yeah we're country kids."

Tonight we have issued a camping challenge. After being somewhat at a loss of things to do---our usual schedule of homeschooling is suspended for a much needed summer break--and tired of the chores Momma's needed help with, we suggested they do something different.

Camp in the backyard.

My husband has had no end of mirth thinking about how long this will last.  "They'll be in the house before dark."  Dear son has not refuted that statement, but dear daughter has said, "Just watch! "

Hmmmm....we've drug out the tent, the sleeping bags, the air bed, extra pillows, and assorted other camping necessaries.

Dad says, " I think this is a lot of work for nothing."

Kids say, "No way."

Stay tuned---this could get interesting.

I have the best husband in the world. No use arguing with me about it, mine's the very best [but I love being part of blog community where husbands and fathers are praised, not torn down!] Our children agree as well. Yesterday our pastor preached a Father's Day message and said in part, "There's no such thing as a perfect father." My daughter looked at me and said a little defensively, "Well MINE is ALMOST PERFECT!"  That's a daddy's girl for you!

So for my dear husband, here's a precious verse that reminds me of you.

The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him~~~Proverbs 20:7

It's a girl!

Since I've posted last, there's been so many wonderful things going on around here! First, God has kept us well. We're dealing with sinus infections, but that's just a natural hazard of living in East Tennessee!

Next, I had a very good appointment with the OB, and baby #3 is doing fine. I'm still sick, but it's not as bad.  May 27 is the big day-----we have the ultrasound to find out if I drag out the space bags with boy baby clothes or girl baby clothes! 

I have just finished reading Passionate Housewives: Desperate for God  by Stacey McDonald and Jennie Chancey [see her site www.ladiesagainstfeminism.com ]. WHAT A BLESSING!  I wish every woman I know could read this and be gripped by the vision of victorious Biblical womanhood!  I have so many stories over the years of being put down for being a fulltime wife, mother, and homemaker by----of all folks-----church people. If only Christian wives and mothers could see, as is plainly shown in this dear gem of a book, the joy and blessing of having more, but having it God's way. WOW!!! BUY THIS BOOK!!!!

Having read that, I pulled out my underlined copy of Home Comforts: the Art and Science of Keeping House by Cheryl Mendelson  to get our home back on track. After over 3 months of constant sickness, some things have been seriously let go. With God's help, and the help of two hardworking and sweethearted children, we've been able to restore order to our home.

This first weekend in May is the beginning of decoration time, when different churches have homecomings and grave decorations. This week, we put flowers on my grandparents graves' at Rocky Branch Bethel Baptist Church. We'll have a decoration every weekend in May.  My daughter and I were talking about why we do this and who the people we remember were [most of them died before she was born].  I told her that one day there would be no more decoration days. She said, "Why?"  What a joy to have a teaching moment to say, "Because when we live with Jesus, no one will die anymore. "

Isn't that a precious thought? In Heaven, we'll give flowers to each other and enjoy them together. We won't be standing by a grave wishing to see our loved ones, grieving over separation. Truly, what a day that will be!

The skunk smell is gone from Doehill. And the nausea Rx is working, Praise the Lord! The house is kinda clean and the Bible study--canceled due to situations beyond my control--is back on for this Thursday.

While I'm planning for the small garden I'll have this year, the weatherman is calling for snow tonight. Thunderstorms this morning, snow tonight, and 50 and 60 temps by the weekend. That's Tennessee!

What else is going on? Oh, I'm thinking about joining  Melaleuca. Anybody need some Sol-U-Mel? All kidding aside, their laundry stain remover is the best stuff in the world. I'll NEVER use anything else. My doctor told me to use Melaleuca or some kind of gentle, biodegradable products because she suspected that the cleaners in my  home were so strong that they were iritating my lungs and causing me such problems with repeat infections and pneumonia. She was right.

The children are still suggesting names for baby #3, and they run strongly along gender lines. DS wants strong manly names, and DD is urging for pretty names. [Sweetie Pye is her favorite]. 

I'm in the middle of planning a party, too. Lots of running to do for it, hopefully the nausea medicine will continue to work. I've lost some weight, but my doctor is very concerned about that at all.  I was so sick with my daughter, though, that I actually weighed less when I delivered her than when I found out she was on the way!

Sorry to blog and run, but my computer time is more limited these days. I need to update the sidebar soon about "books read". The kids have finished much of their school books, but since we need 77 more days of school for this year, we've got to keep plugging away!  I'm so proud of them. ETB is reading to Thelma Lou right now some old stories like "Thee Billy Goats Gruff".  

I need to add that I am really enjoying the "real" history books from Bethlehem Books. They have a been a thrill to use in our history lessons. Very meaty but entertaining too. Scroll down to the "Shop with Doehill" section in my sidebar and type in "bethlehem books"  and you'll get a complete listing.

Be back soon---I hope.

Literally. I'm not having some hormone induced low-self esteem problem or homeschool teaching slump, here--I really stink. WE ALL DO at Doehill right now.

My husband turned the dogs loose from their leads this weekend and they got into skunks. In a BIG way. At 4:30 Sunday morning, I was awakened from a sound sleep by a stench so bad my sinuses were burning. The dogs, having had a successful night of skunk hunting, decided to retire on the porch beside the double doors to my bedroom.  I couldn't sleep, and proceeded to get really nauseous.  Morning sickness [all day sickness with me] and skunks don't mix well, folks. Hubby was able to roll over and say, " I don't smell anything." He needs his nose examined.

The smell was also in the car!  The little lady we take to church nearly got sick from having to ride in a skunked car. Me, too. Thelma Lou was crying, "Mom, my new dress smells like a skunk." She was near tears all through Sunday School. You could only smell it in the car itself, though, not on our persons or our clothes--at least no noe mentioned it.

After church, the kids and I went to my Dad's for a visit, but hubby had to come home to gather some notes and stuff for a meeting at church later. I called to ask him how the smell was--he replied, "I chased old Yellar around the porch with that bottle of Revive in my hand trying to douse him. "  Judging by the smell when we all got home after church last night, he didn't catch him. We didn't put the dogs up because they smelled so bad; we didn't want to get near those two rascals.

This morning as hubby left for work, we noticed a large pile of fur on the porch. Those sweetly disposed but stupid dogs had brought us a present. I just lost it. I had one dog on a leash, another by its collar, and half walked and was half pulled by them to their leads. Hubby and the kids were on the porch watching, with amusement,  as I was fussing and dragging these dogs to the usual lodgings, and trying not to get sick while doing it.. Hubby asked as he was getting into the truck for work, "Does it smell bad up there honey?"  The answer came back something like, "YES and those dogs had better NEVER be turned loose again unless it's to someone who wants to take them to a new home!"

I just hope that we can get rid of the smell by the time the Bible study is supposed to meet here Thursday. If not, we may have to skip this week.  The fur is in the yard and I'm not touching it. I put the dogs up, and hubby 's going to have to deal with the dead animal. This morning wasn't  exactly my "meek and gentle" best, but at least the dogs are situated AWAY from the house. 

 I don't have a bit of tomato juice in the house either. But I'm seriously thinking of opening up a can of diced tomatoes and sticking my hands in those. If that doesn't work I think there's some ketchup in the fridge door--hey, I'm willing to try just about anything at this point. My keyboard stinks now, too. YUK!

Here's some nifty sites/blogs that I like. Leave a link in the comments if you have one to share!

http://www.cindysporch.net/index.shtml   Love her "shop at home" pages

http://www.heart4home.net/index.htm

http://www.menus4moms.com/index.php

http://www.victoriamag.com/  free newsletter

http://organizedhome.com/

http://www.thenewhomemaker.com/cleanandorganized

http://www.livingonadime.com/organizing-articles.htm

Last night before leaving for church, I was stabbed in the back. Well, at least I had sharp shooting pains that felt like someone was stabbing me and enjoying it, too. The pain was worse when I needed to take a deeper breath. My exhales came out like screams.

I encouraged hubby to go on to church, but he left the children with me. Good night, what pampering!  We're  really raising these kids right . There I sat in my recliner, occasionally hollering in pain, with my son in firm control of the cell phone and remote and my daughter standing by me with a drink of water or patting my hand. Her only mistake was in trying to take my Jan Karon book away from me, insisting I needed rest. Once we got that straight, they were perfect nurses. 

Hubby cut an after-church meeting short, arranged a ride home for our elderly friend who goes with us, and practically flew home. OH, the pamper fest continued. I could really go for treatment like that all the time but without the stabbing pains in my back when I had to breathe. Well, except when the ice pack that hubby put on my back started to leak. Yeah, I could have done without  that.

Today I feel bettter-still sore, but I walk with a hitch in my get-along. {That's crooked to all you Non-Mountain folks!] Cheryl called this morning and could tell something was wrong. An explanation of, "One of my shoulders is higher than the other , I look like Eegore, and it's hurts like the dickens" followed  I have no idea what it is but if ibuprofen helps, then home I'll stay.

I REALLY protested not going to church. We had such a fantastic service yesterday morning that I was afraid of missing something by not going back. What a blessing to have that kind of church!  I kept thinking I could just 'walk" this out. "IF it hurts too bad, there are some nice wingback chairs in the ladies room--I can just go sit back there."  Of course this was silly and hubby wasted no time in telling me so.

"You are NOT going to go to church to just sit in the bathroom!" 

 Not exactly quotable, but memorable at least. I was comforted by Father Tim and Cynthia Kavanaugh, though, in Jan Karon's Light From Heaven.  It was a gem of delicious quotes like, "Every saint has a  past, and every sinner has a future". Or ,"I drive in the middle because I pay taxes on both sides of the road."  But I've read them out of order and I'm not sure if I've missed any. You just gotta take what you get at the local library, and since I'm not the only fan here abouts, I wait my turn like everyone else.

School was let out for a rare sick day today. I couldn't ,and truth be told they'd rather not.  Well, I'm going to hobble back to my recliner and watch Toy Story 2 with the nursing staff of DoeHill. 

I really take a break!  We managed to finish half of our schoolyear before Christmas, and to reward ourselves, we are in the middle of a three week school vacation. WHOO-HOO!

I've also slowed down blogging and computer time in general. I'm a little relecutant to pick it back up, to tell the truth.  We've had a great vacation and Christmas. All of December was  a studied effort to be low-key. We avoided weekends crammed with parties, or having all our free time spent shopping. We cooked, we watched movies at home, we drank homemade cocoa [sugar free of course!], we read books, we memorized verses, sang songs, and played. I didn't even do Christmas Cards this year. I admit that was taking it a little bit TOO easy, but I'll try to complete those in stages next year.

We had two family get togethers--one on Christmas Eve and the other on Christmas Day. Hubby and I went shopping the Friday before Christmas, and we celebrated the kids birthdays by going to Chuck E. Cheese. 

The big travelling we did was taking my father-in-law to Mt. Airy, North Carolina to see Andy Griffith related sites. What a hoot! We had a ball. 

The next time I post I'll have to tell y'all about my almost sugar free white chocolate cheesecake. MMmm--it was good.   My sister-in-law made this chocolate cake with cocoa fudge icing that was so good and rich that I almost hid it so she couldn't take leftovers home with her! 

Sneaky homeschool mother that I am, I did manage to get a review of fractions and division in to the Christmas baking we did today!  I had my helpers divide recipes in half and prepare delicious treats with my supervision, only.

Here's our Rocky Road Fudge:

And here's the Peanut Butter Potato Candy:

And our tree that the kids decorated a while back--I just hadn't gotten to put it up here yet! Good grief! I cut the angel's head off in the picture! I think Thelma Lou and Earnest T. Bass did a good job.

VACATION TIME!!!

YIPPEE!  While I count the various dramas the children are involved as school activities, and we have several more practices, CHRISTmas vacation is here! YEA!

No more pencils,

No more books,

No more students'

Dirty looks

Can you tell I'm as excited about vacation as the kids are? They aren't as bad as the poem let's on--they really are blessings.

Hubby had some dental surgery today but is doing well. However, he can't have carbonated beverages for three whole days!  To ease his pain, I stopped at Lee's on the way home and bought two gallons of their tea--his favorite. And a pain prescription.  I think the "NO DIET MOUNTAIN DEW" ban will hurt him more!  Here's hoping he won't want any in three days!  He's curled up, alternately snoozing or watching Andy Griffith.

We had to get up REALLY early to get hubby to work. We took him, so that we'd only be using gas in one vehicle today. So, we dropped him off, picked him up, and chauffered him to the oral surgeon.  Actually he drove us with him to work. We got a taste of traffic in a larger city. Once Hubby revved the car up as he zoomed past a slow car on the interstate. Thelma Lou gleefully shouted, "ZOOM! Daddy's a hot-rodder!"

ANYHOO------

We are going to try to get a bunch of baking done, finish the Christmas cards [oh, my,  that's a biggie], and get some chores done.

THE WARDEN

Our new chore schedule is working like a dream. For me. I now have unloaded  begun systematically training the children to take over certain tasks. WHAT A RELIEF! I just hate cleaning up after supper and have done poorly at it. Usually because I also had nineteen other things to do. But the kids have taken over that job and others. It's a double blessing. They clean up the mess, and don't make as big of one in the first-place---since they know who gets to clean it up!

They just finished watching the Andy Griffith episode with their Dad that featured Aunt Bea as the "warden" for a day for prisoner Otis. As part of his rehabilitation, she made him scrub floors, chop wood, wash dishes, vacuum, and clean his room.They howled laughing, "THAT'S MOM!!!!!!" 

This was our first week trying to be more healthy. Unlike previous attempts to become more healthy [related in posts of the distant past], the whole family is doing involved in this.  It was my husband's idea for us to buy organic foods. No doubt, his mother's cancer has influenced that decision. He has said that he believes the processed foods we regularly eat are factors in so many cancers.

I have joined an online support group of HSB bloggers [and others] called THE WALKING CHALLENGE.  My goal was to lose two pounds and walk five miles a week. I figured the miles would be easy, the pounds would be more difficult, but it's the exact opposite.  I've lost two pounds this week and managed to walk a mile.  The kids and I have been pretty active this week but i just haven't put on the pedometer. {I can't find it!] Seeing an email in my inbox that says it's time to check-in will hopefully help me be accountable to my goals.

We bought organic milk this week, and I couldn't believe the difference. It tasted so good! I actually like drinking milk again.  We found dairy, canned, and boxed products with "organic" labels more easily than other items--especially in the meat section.  Three dear pals [Cindy, Kasey, and Melanie]  have given me a lot of information about healthy diets, herbal supplements, and the like.  I usually use a gallon of milk a week. Only the kids drink it, and we would occasionally have it with cereal or use to cook with. We are already out--it makes a difference when Momma's drinking milk, too!

We've discovered smoothies, too. Who knew? What could be betterthan getting dairy and fruit servings without all the extra sugar?   We used organic yogurt and some frozen blackberries that we picked from the backyard this year and some Splenda and other stuff. Boy, are they good.  Earlier this week we blended organic yogurt, a little organic milk, a banana, some frozen raspberries and strawberries and a little Splenda in smoothies. YUM!

I may actually get to LIKE being health-conscious, after all!

This morning I told my husband goodbye as he went to work with a terrible toothache. From the porch I called, "Happy Anniversary!"  You'd just have to know my dh to appreciate the look on his face and the "you got me" grin. Yep, he'd forgotten. But with everything going on is our lives right now, it's no wonder.

I have without doubt the best husband in the world. He's my best friend, my hero, my love, the person I love to be with most. He's wise, funny, strong, and closer to perfect than any other person I know. Faults? Well, their practically nil in my book. He's also a fantastic Dad.

He climbed out of his Dodge Ram truck and came to hug me on the porch. "I'm sorry, " he said. "I remembered late yesterday but this toothache has reallly bothered me. "  Feeling bighearted and quite the forgiving wife, I replied, "That's okay, hon. " 

Silence for a moment. Then he asks, "Where's my card?"

Ooops!   That stinker is too doggone smart for his own good. How'd he know I didn't have one yet, either? Laughing, the great DH says, "I know you, hon. You forgot to get my card, too!"  Oh, well, it's a good  thing Wal-Mart is open 24 hours.

Happy 12th Anniversary, hon!

Or should I say cable to the satellite? Yep, we've done it. We've finally and thankfully done it. Satellite TV is a thing of the past at our house. Well, at least until they get a la carte packaging and IF the commercials clean up! We were in the discussion room [bathroom with the door locked] and discovered we both were ready to just get rid of DirecTV. My husbandkept it becuase he  liked having a 24 hour news and weather station and the History Channel. It became more and more obvious though that the parental control features just weren't filtering out everything we would like. We se the internet for news and rent educational movies from the library for free.

It is so ridiculous to try to enjoy a family show on a family networks and then have to jump in front of the Tv when the commercials come on, yelling, "TURN THE CHANNEL HONEY!" as he nervously fishes for he remote that slipped into the crevices of the recliner.  While such activity may give us a brief Calesthenic activity for a minture and a half, we've opted for treadmill exercise for the body and a smutty-commercial mind cleansing.

We now take the money we would have spent on a satellite bill, and buy quality dvds of classic movies and tv shows. My husband is the ULTIMATE Andy Griffith fan. We now have the first five seasons of the show [with Don Knotts] on DVD.  Part of our Friday night pizza ritual now includes a disk of  A.G.  As a matter of fact, HH [handsome hubby]  and some of his friends are considering our next group trip to be to Andy Griffith's home town of Mt. Airy, N.C.  As long as we can stop and see the Inspirations sing in Bryson City and see Biltmore in Asheville, it's alright with me!

For our educational viewing, we are considering purchasing Moody DVDS and some Billy Graham Association movies. My sister-in-law is a sweetie and brought us a bag full of nature science videos.  Our local library has some of the Moody science classics [oh, I love living in the the Bible belt!] .The atmosphere here, while not completely TV free, is much improved. I'm not so jumpy about turning on the television.

I've spent the last 7 days recovering from surgery. The initial pain medicine that my surgeon gave me made me even more loopy than I already am. There were times when I found myself uncontrollably rubbing my face with my hands. I now have pimples to prove it.

Then I couldn't sleep. I was awake for two nights straight, reading books and magazines and listening to Dr. Adrian Rogers' preaching cds. I must have enjoyed it because my kids told me that I kept saying "AMEN, preach it!" like a good Southern Baptist on painkillers would.

Sometimes it felt that my every muscle in body was relaxed except for my mouth. My husband has said that I talked his ears off. I'm not sure what all we discussed. Handsome Hubby {HH} is kind of quiet, anyway, so he's already used to saying on cue, "That's nice, dear." When I did doze, my dreams were all silly and very strange. I told one of them to my husband, and he promptly said, "I don't think I'd share that with anyone, hon. "

On top of all this, I tried to continue reading aloud to the kids while HH continued other lessons with them. On one hand ALICE IN WONDERLAND might seem appropriate, considering my impaired state. But I've never been so glad to finish a book in all four years we've been homeschooling. At least I didn't try to do math with them! My husband said last night: "Honey, I think if you ever need strong medicine like that again we should request a different kind. " I completely agree!