October 31st is the 149th birthday of Juliette Gordon Low (the founder of Girl Scouts)
In the early 1900s Juliette had lived in England and had met Robert Baden Powell (the founder of Boy Scouts) and had helped him start Boy Scouts. According to legend, it had never occurred to him that girls would be interested in the outdoor skills that Scouting offered, so he definitely need Juliette's help.
At one point, Juliette was talking to some Scottish teen girls who were facing a life of servitude, essentially the same life their parents had led. She asked them what they would rather do. They wanted to raise chickens and sell the eggs. Juliette had lived a privileged life with a family that appreciated her curiousity, so she showed them how to get the information they needed to start their business. This helped Juliette to realize that many girls simply did not know HOW to pursue their dreams.
When Juliette returned to Georgia, she decided to create Girl Scouts in this country. She had already done some amazing things in her life, and she wanted other girls to have the opportunities she had had
"Less than a year later, she returned to the United States and made her historic telephone call to a friend (a distant cousin), saying, "I've got something for the girls of Savannah, and all of America, and all the world, and we're going to start it tonight!" On March 12, 1912, Juliette Low gathered 18 girls to register the first troop of American Girl Guides. Margaret "Daisy Doots" Gordon, her niece and namesake, was the first registered member. The name of the organization was changed to Girl Scouts the following year.
In developing the Girl Scout movement in the United States, Juliette brought girls of all backgrounds into the out-of-doors, giving them the opportunity to develop self-reliance and resourcefulness. She encouraged girls to prepare not only for traditional homemaking, but also for possible future roles as professional women—in the arts, sciences and business—and for active citizenship outside the home. Girl Scouting welcomed girls with disabilities at a time when they were excluded from many other activities. This idea seemed quite natural to Juliette, who never let deafness, back problems or cancer keep her from full participation in life"
She created a curtained basketball court in the yard of her home, so that girls could get exercise. The first Girl Scout handbook was written with the assistance of W J Hoxie, a naturalist. If you read this book there are many household/health hints (as badge requirements) which are commonplace today, but would have been revolutionary in 1913. Once example would have been using the sun and fresh air to keep germs out of your house.
So, as we prepare to celebrate Juliette Gordon Low's 149th birthday; I appreciate the opportunities that both my daughter & I have had through Girl Scouts. I still don't enjoy camping...but I can do it. Cindy has competed in robotics and will be a "ball kid" for the USF women's volleyball team this week. She's taught classes and worked at summer camp. She has also earned her religious awards and many badges...Girl Scouts has broadened her world!
Feeling blessed, how about you?
Why is it that every summer I say "Time to kick back and relax"? There has not been 1 summer where we have kicked back and relaxed...or winter...spring...fall...
Cindy is working as a volunteer at Girl Scout camp for four weeks this summer. Silly me, I thought that I would have very relaxed weeks when she was at camp. After all, what else did I have to do? I never realized how well I had trained my "little sweetie". Having to do her work AND my work and all the extra camp laundry...whoa, baby!
AND, I've really got to set the schoolroom to rights. You know, that part between gasping your way across the finish line in the spring...and the smell of new crayons in the fall? Well, we don't have crayons anymore..she's starting 10th grade. But we do have tons of books. I did do a good job of sorting out the books we won't use again and getting those to the used book sale, but, I still have to shelve the new books and organize the bookshelves. The shelves are kind of trapped in the schoolroom, so accessible placement of materials is everything! And let's not even start on the Girl Scout shelves! The craft/camping stuff is in pretty good shape, but the books and papers explode every year!
So, after I finish helping at VBS on Monday-Wednesday; I'll come home, start a load of laundry and tackle a shelf. And maybe, just maybe, I'll get them done before my daughter graduates in 2012!
Feeling blessed, how about you?
Making two hundred knots gives me a lot of time to pray for the recipients. When we get to camp each one of the teens will receive their prayer ribbon. I commit to praying every day of camp for the needs of the person with the ribbon. If, during their time at camp, they see a camper or staffer who needs prayer (think homesickness, bad day...oh, come on, we all need prayer!), they should share their prayer ribbon with them (I have more, so they can get another one).
I was blessed to marry the love of my life. And 30 years later, he's still the love of my life. So please indulge me while I take a brief stroll down memory lane.
Thirty years ago, we had a busy day scheduled. We skipped our baccalaureate. We graduated at 10 am in the same degree program
Don's mom, my dad, me, Don, my mom, Don's dad
Once we had lunch, we had to move out of both dorm rooms! And Don's mom cut my hair while the guys were moving Don's stuff. I know, the weddings of today would never have the bride getting her hair cut in the hallway of a dorm 3 hours before the wedding, but hey, it worked! After we moved the stuff to the truck, we had to drive an hour to get to my in-law's (to be) hotel room. Because you might have trouble getting a hotel room closer on graduation weekend!
So, we got back to my parents hotel room about 1 1/2 hours before the wedding...and I am not dressed...and I'm sharing a hotel room with one bathroom with 5 people...and my father felt that it was an equal opportunity bathroom (in other words, I didn't get any extra time just because I was the bride). Oh, did I mention that somehow my contacts got packed up with my dorm stuff, so I didn't have them for the wedding. Of course, I was too vain to wear my glasses for the wedding, so I just couldn't see. Which really isn't a big deal, because the bride is always on someone's arm!
We did get to the wedding on time, although I don't think they would have started without me! It had been raining right up until about 15 minutes before the wedding started. In addition, in 1979 we had gas rationing, so most of the people we invited couldn't come. You could only get a tank of gas every other day, so it did limit how far you could travel!
I made my wedding dress, and I was thrilled that the train didn't unravel as I walked down the aisle. I did, however, discover one major design flaw--you really need to be able to "bustle" the train after the wedding or people will walk over it all night! I'd be walking across the floor and be pulled up short because someone was standing on my dress!
The architect of the chapel we were married in was my great-uncle. The sculpture at the front of the sanctuary is called "The Gift of Life". And the man I'm standing next to is the one who introduced me to the gift of life by leading me to the Lord before we got married! By the way, we were married in the chapel on the Virgina Tech campus.
And so, I was very blessed 30 years ago, and I'm really blessed today. How about you?
This weekend I got to take 2 of the girls to a Girl Scout camp I'd never visited before. The cabin they put us in was air-conditioned...ya gotta love that--no primitive camping for this chickie! We got to share the cabin with 3 college interns who had just arrived from the UK! One was from Wales, one from Manchester and one from New Castle! We didn't get to chat much and I missed out on pictures because they slept until it was time for them to go to the training (in fact, by the time they were dressed, they were almost an hour late!) Fortunately, Cindy will get to see them again when she works at that camp---I'll ask her to get pictures then!
The girls arrived a day early to sort and build the robot parts for summer camp. Unfortunately, by the time they had the robot ready to roll, the counselors were on their way to the training. Thank goodness, for email! Written directions will work well, right?
Cindy's favorite part of camp was the armadillos. She had never seen a live one up close before!
Feeling blessed, how about you?
I love furthering my education by getting to try things I've never tried before...and probably never will again! I enjoy baseball--but I will sell newspapers or escort the color guard in order to get free seats! Don was given an opportunity to sit in a corporate box (suite). I love being married to a "mover and shaker" 
This is definitely the way to see a ball game!
I spent the last weekend at the FPEA convention (Florida statewide). What a wonderful weekend! Why? Because my darling family treated me to 4 WHOLE DAYS in a deluxe hotel room by myself! OK, I did have to answer some texts with questions about Spanish from DD, but other than that....
I look forward to the convention every year because I leave the schedule behind and relax. I don 't have much curricula to buy anymore--if we haven't figured out what works by 10th grade, we might as well give up!
My favorite session this year was one by Jean Burk on SAT prep. Her approach was to treat the SAT like a logic puzzle---now THAT we can do! My favorite down time part was having dinner with other friends from the PPEA. It's really interesting how everyone chooses something different as their best moment...even if they were in the same lecture!
And now, it's off to bed, because I'm teaching a class for Girl Scouts in the morning...and I have to be in Tampa before I've usually finished the paper and breakfast!
Feeling blessed, how about you?
On Thursday I had to have our parakeet, Princess, put to sleep. She had been sick since she first fell from her swing in the middle of the night about 4 months ago. She had been fluffed up on her perch for 3 days and wasn't chattering at all. In addition, she just looked miserable. So was I when I was told how much it cost! If you opt for cremation instead of backyard burial, it costs $78 + the cost of euthansia! Since I couldn't find anyone who would pick her up for me...(I SO DO NOT do dead critter retrieval!)...I decided to let them have the honors. In all honesty, it takes everything I have to take the animal to the vet.
Not Princess, but looks just like her!
It's funny. The thing I miss the most is the plaintive little chirp when I covered her up each night.
Poor Princess had a rough life before coming to our house in 2002. She was the prime example of why you read BOTH sides of the animal history at the SPCA. She had been removed from a condemned house. She was always terrifed of people. In fact, the first 2 years we had her she would fall off the perch when someone walked past her cage. I could leave her cage open all day, but she would just hide in the corner in fear. She would get very excited if I was tearing lettuce for a salad though, and if I was late feeding her she would yank on her seed cup until I provided "room service".
On a happier note, I planted a garden yesterday. Now for my friends who raise chickens, veggies and kids all at the SAME TIME, get ready for a big belly laugh!
There they are...aren't they beautiful? If they survive for the next month, I may get to have more in the fall. In fairness, I possess an ebony thumb! I do well with animals, but am death to plants! The only two plants that have ever survived for me are the dish gardens I was given when the kids were born, and they only survived because they don't mind going from soaked to dry as a bone. DJ's even survived being in a warehouse in a moving box for 2.5 weeks!
Feeling blessed, how about you!
At this time of year, I always feel exhausted and contemplative...all at the same time. We actually got the Geometry book done! History, well that became hopeless shortly after my MIL left. All in all, this was not our best year.
On the plus side, we were able to provide assisted living care for my MIL for 3 months in our home. We also put 4000 miles on our car AND took 1 plane trip while she was in the hospital. And, although the year never came back together, we did get to some co-op classes and art lessons, as well as Girl Scouts in this year. Cindy has almost completed 2 classes through Florida Virtual School. We also took some great field trips and visited 2 college campuses. And, most importantly, by the grace of God she passed her yearly evaluation!
On the negative side, we still have a LOT to cover in the next 3 years. I plan to evaluate our curriculum choices for next year between now and the convention on Memorial Day weekend.
Cindy really wants her summer this summer. While I sympathize, there are a couple of FLVS classes I would like for her to take. So, pardon me while I take a break and get my ducks in a row!
Feeling blessed, how about you?
Once a year our Girl Scout council has it's annual meeting. This is for the purpose of having our elected girl and adult members vote on governance issues for the upcoming year. This year the primary issue was electing our new board members. Since they make the decisions on our behalf, this is a pretty big deal. We also have our adult awards ceremony.
I have had the privilege to serve as our area association chair for the last 2 years. In addition, 3 of the 6 eligible girls in my troop serve as voting members. These girls are all 15. I have to leave for the meeting at 7 am on a Saturday. If you have a teenager in your house, you can do the math!
I felt that it would be a good idea to have the 2 girls who normally don't live in our home spend the night. This would reduce my pickup time in the morning. I considered having them sleep in the car, which would have further reduced the time...but somehow it seemed unwise. We were 15 minutes late leaving, which wasn't bad considering the girls did not crawl out of bed on the first call.
When we arrived at the meeting place--USF in Tampa, the university had not opened any extra lanes for parking fees...which meant all 500 of us had to go through the same line... However, we had made up some time in travel so we were only 15 minutes late. I "casually mentioned" to...OK, I threatened...the girls that I had expectations that they would represent themselves, and our troop, well at the meeting. They responded by asking what expectations they could have for my behavior? Cheeky things! They got very involved in the issues this year. They asked me later why the council would keep open camp properties that were losing money. Did the camps have any special amenities that weren't discussed in the meeting that would make them more valuable?
Two of the girls want to work as program assistants at resident camp this year. They introduced themselves to the camp directors, and asked more questions of them.
At the end of the meeting, they wanted to change out of their uniforms. We were going to have lunch and walk around the campus before we headed home. After all, they are in high school and ready to begin touring campuses. They asked me for my keys and headed to the van to pick up their clothes to change. I assumed (an error on my part) that they would bring their clothes back to a public restroom, change and return their uniforms to my car. THEY apparently decided that they could save time and energy by changing IN my van, which was parked in a public parking garage. Apparently one of them provided a passing car with a "lunar experience".
We had lunch in the dining hall, kissed the bull statue
and visited the library, bookstore 
and student union. Classrooms weren't open and we weren't able to visit a dorm room (I tried to set it up, but apparently all my son's friends have lives).
I was operating on only 2.5 hours of sleep (reaction to an antibiotic), so I'm glad to be home! It was a wonderful day though!
Feeling blessed, how about you?
A week ago I had never heard of Canine Hemorraghic Gastroenteritis. This week our dog almost died from it. What a difference a week makes!
Tuesday morning the dog vomited just as we were on our way out the door to a tour of the Tampa Bay Hotel on the University of Tampa campus. Fascinating tour by the way.
I felt bad leaving the dog alone for so long (and was a little worried about the condition of my house, but Tuesday was the day that all the Girl Scouts turned in their cookie money. Fortunately when we got home the dog seemed to be fine.
Tuesday night I had my PPEA board meeting (homeschool support group) and when I got home, the dog didn't even greet me at the door. She had us up every 45 minutes all night long. We didn't realize it, but she was passing small amounts of blood. But even without that I knew she was really sick.
The next morning I had her at the vet's by 8 am. Our regular vet was scheduled for surgeries all morning, BUT when the staff told him that she was there and about her symptoms he went to check her before his next surgery at 9:30 am. What a God-thing as time is of the essence with this illness. Basically our vet told us that they can usually save the dog...but if HGE is really involved, the owner may not be able to afford to save the dog (4 week hospital stay)
About HGE: There are many causes for bloody diarrhea and vomiting in dogs. Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, or HGE, refers to a specific syndrome usually seen in young adult dogs of the toy and miniature breeds. In HGE, fever is usually not present, and the main laboratory abnormality is a marked elevation of the hematocrit (concentration of blood cells) due to fluid shifts and intestinal fluid loss. There is no diagnostic test that confirms the presence of HGE. Its diagnosis is made mainly on clinical grounds.Just as there is no unique diagnostic test for HGE, there is no established cause for the illness. Treatment is similar as that for other causes of vomiting and bloody diarrhea in dogs. However, relatively large amounts of fluid are usually needed to replace the fluid lost into the intestinal tract, and to reverse shock, if present. Antibiotics are also given because bacteria may play a role in causing HGE. Although the signs are sudden and severe, and some dogs do not survive, most animals with HGE recover fully with prompt treatment. Recurrences are possible in an individual dog, but they are not common. Prompt veterinary attention is vital for any dog with severe gastrointestinal signs and depression, whether due to HGE or other causes.
Fortunately, Lucky was brought in early enough that she could be treated. The vet said that even that afternoon might have been too late. Another God-thing! You see, Lucky doesn't fit the description of usual breeds with this disorder--she's an 11 year old Border Collie.
So, the poor thing is exhausted. Two days of IV treatments and food still isn't sitting well. The vet said we may have several days of diarrhea and vomiting to go. But, hopefully I won't have to take her back tomorrow. The IVs and observation are running about $150/day + oral meds and tests!
So that's our veterinary science/biology lesson for today. Feeling really blessed to have our sweet dog back home...hope you're feeling blessed too!
For the last month, I've been hip-deep in Girl Scout cookies. My family would appreciate it if the world understood what that meant to our family!
While the cookies are here, I'm responsible for about $3500 in cash and merchandise. There are inventories, bank deposits deliveries and drop-offs. Almost every day, something is happening--cookie booth, deposit, pickup, etc. In addition, every move must be entered on the council book-keeping page.
But, of course, I'm a wife and the mother/teacher of a homeschooling high schooler. We also have a son in his senior year in college, who is starting on the job search (fine time for that!) Most years (during cookies) we are not able to keep up our school schedule...or household maintanence, for that matter!
In the middle of all of this, my oven died. That made meal prep much more difficult...especially the bread baking. Where is a brick oven when you need one?
I finally called an end to cookies today. My family needs me back. We have 74 boxes that we need to try to transfer to other troops or sell. I should get all the book work done this week. We start back to school on Wednesday...I hope. I hope to work on my weekly plan tomorrow. However, I have my first colonoscopy scheduled for Monday, and I hear the prep the day before is the most fun part; so the schedule is "subject to change"...like most anything in my life.
So that's where I've been for the past month. I'm really excited about getting back to life!
Feeling blessed! How about you?
I am really proud of the fact that we completed almost all our schoolwork this week. Hubby had an outpatient procedure on Monday, Girl Scouts met at our house on Tuesday, Wednesday was "normal" , and Thursday THE COOKIES CAME IN!
Each one of these cases contains 12 boxes of cookies. When this picture was taken, 500 boxes had already been picked up. There are also more cookies behind where I was standing! And this is (hopefully) all going to be gone within a week (however, they will be replaced with new boxes until mid March)! After all, the girls are saving to travel to Washington DC!
Oh, and today, boy-child came home for the day--to get his car repaired (I paid), his hair cut (I cut), and buy groceries (I paid). Girl-child did all her school work (I taught). Gee, no wonder I'm tired!
Feeling blessed, how about you?
OK, I admit it! I was the naysayer at our recent Maxwell conference. But I decided to give MOTH a try. And if you accept that it's MY schedule (which means that it is flexible), it's working very well. We actually got the piano lesson in today!
So, we're getting a full day of school in, but that means that we're having a hard time fitting in all the chores. And if that weren't enough, Girl Scout cookies arrive tomorrow! And, since I'm "cookie mom", that doesn't mean 50-60 boxes. It means 1200 boxes!
So the next 3 weeks are all about selling cookies! The girls want to go to Washington DC, which means we need to raise $2000. We'll keep you posted!
Feeling blessed! How about you?
OK, I'll admit it, I didn't go in with a "Maxwell-worthy" attitude. In fact, I told my friends that I would serve behind the scenes, because I didn't want to hear the conference. But God has a plan, and he rarely consults me! So I listened AND I learned! And it started with the concert on Friday night (wasn't listening well enough on Thursday). Hey, I'm a work in progress!
The video is not great, I was using my cell phone...but you'll get the feeling anyway!
Feeling blessed! How about you?
Don and I just got back from a SUPER weekend at Disney World. This was essentially Don's first vacation in 2 years. (I don't count the wedding last year or sitting by Don's mom's hospital bed this year). And the kids opted not to go with us, so we were able to do the things that interested us (Epcot) without needing to "be considerate of others".
The downside is that I got a really bad cold about 8 hours after we arrived. But we kept on trucking! And we did get upgraded on our hotel room--from the value resorts (cheap housing) to the Beach Club (luxury housing). That put us within walking distance of Epcot...which we did...a lot!
I got tickets to the Candlelight Processional. This guaranteed us seats for the event but we had to pay for dinner at one of the restaurants. The cheapest one available was the Biergarten in Germany in Epcot. The food was really good and the floor show (who knew?) was absolutely wonderful
Then it was on to the Candlelight Processional. Disney hires actors to read the the Christmas Story (yes, THAT one...from the Bible!) while a choir sings. It was absolutely magnificent. Edward James Olmos was the one reading when we saw it. If you ever have a chance to see this, don't miss it!
Feeling like Sneezy the dwarf...but stil blessed, how about you?
First there were the Greek cookies while my MIL was here. Then there were the cookies for our Christmas party. Now we've moved on to gingerbread houses. And, of course in January, we move on to Girl Scout cookies!
So I thought now would be a good time to reflect on the FUN and joy of cookies...before January!
Feeling blessed, how about you! Have you reflected on the reason for the season today?
...to have a nervous breakdown! After all, I've been working on it all year. But it seems as though it's too little, too late. After all, MIL is living in NC now, and we're getting caught up in school. Except for biology...
And I do have my cards mailed, and the decorations up. We have a party this weekend so we had to be done! And that was one of the reasons we planned the party so early in the season, we knew we'd get DONE!
But life is still changing. Apparently, God is not quite ready to let us get comfortable. My car needed $2000 worth of repairs this week. And then DS's car wouldn't start last night...at midnight...an hour away from us. Poor hubby rode to the rescue, and by the grace of God got the car started and back to the dorm (and didn't get back home until 3 am). The battery connector had disintegrated on the post. I'm not sure how hubby got enough contact to get the car home. Especially since today, when he went to reattach the cable, the post broke off due to corrosion. What a miracle that they got the car back to the dorm! BTW, did you know that if your car breaks down in a parking garage, you have to find a way to get it out of the garage before the tow truck can pick it up...which can be a challenge if your car isn't running!
However, the $2000 repair has changed things greatly. We now have the opportunity to "homestead" My friends will tell you that this is something that I don't excel at. Too much time at home and I want to jump off a cliff. But we have to rein in the budget...big time. So the art lessons will be a thing of the past. Co-ops...no way. But the good news is that we may just have the most productive school year ever. And maybe DD will even learn to sew...
Feeling blessed, how about you?
First there was the Girl Scout National convention
It was very exciting, although the meetings were endless! We had a LOT of business to go through and we tended to have 10 hour days...which didn't leave a lot of time for fun. Fortunately we had Girl Scout events at 2 museums, so we did get out a little bit!
Then when I got home, I was ready to hit the ground running and catch up on our schoolwork...if it weren't for that darned asthma attack!
We did manage to fit in the tour of Raymond James stadium...home of the '09 Super Bowl.
Last weekend we celebrated our son's 22nd birthday (say it ain't so!).
If you've never met my husband, you'd recognize him instantly. He was this age when I married him, and looked just like our son does in this picture!
Today Cindy had her oil painting class, and she finished a painting that we "commissioned" for our living room. We are soo excited. Now Don wants to make a frame for our new art!
Feeling blessed, how about you?