i wanna have one!

but what, you may be asking, would Hippiechyck give away?

i have plenty of albums that i could part with...after i pried them from hubbyman's hands (and yes i mean ALBUMS, ya know, vinyl???)

i have a few 8 tracks still....

i have two teen sons...oh, wait, that would be classified as a booby prize and no one would enter!

if you lived close enough, i can make a lasagna

then there's hubbyman's collection of old car magazines (good thing he doesn't actually READ this blog!)

OOO! i just cleaned out all the "above size 12" clothes out of my closet in the determination that i will never again need to LOOK at anything above a size 12 (yup, another booby prize!)

i can always pretend to give away a mini van like some unscrupulous goat ladies

okay...here's what i can give...a prayer for peace and grace and comfort.

who needs a contest for that???

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so while my hard drive makes strange sounds i went to read Keer's blog, who apparently has forgotten that i hate Tag...

so i'll INVITE those of you who found this fun to participate....

(i'll getcha Keer!)

Four jobs you have had in your life:
1. counter girl at Dunkin Donuts

2. resource coordinator at our old church

3. hairdresser, Plato's Beauty Salon (i am NOT making that up!)
4. hairdresser, Stage Hairdressers

(believe it or not, that's the only 4 jobs i have ever had!

Four movies you could (or do) watch over and over:
1. Gone With The Wind

2. MoonStruck
3. It's A Wonmderful Life
4. The Robe

Four places you have lived:
1. New Jersey
2. New Jersey
3. New Jersey (sensing the trend?)
4. PA

Four TV shows you love to watch:
1. The Factor
2. Everybody Loves Raymond
3. Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius
4. any local news

Four places you have been on vacation:
1. Woodstock, NY
2. Pinellas County, Fl
3. Northridge, CA (*SIGH!!!!!*)
4. did i mention Woodstock, NY?????

Four websites you visit (almost) daily:
1. Hearth Keepers
2. Homeschool Blogger
3. eBay (okay, now you ALL know!)
4. PaperBack Swap

Four of your favorite foods:
1. bacon (sorry Neomi!)
2. pizza
3. anything Italian, except organ foods
4. chocolate

Four places you would rather be right now:
1. with my man :-)
2. somewhere warm
3. Woodstock, NY
4. heaven

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can i just say that i soooooooooooooooo desire to live somewhere warm that my dearest sweetest hubbyman has now dubbed me "relentless" ? this can either become very good or very bad...and knowing my bent for becoming pouty once a month, this looks like it may NOT be a "good thing"

now, the last thing i want to do in this world is annoy and vex my sweet hubbyman. but i tend to do so in the most irritating of ways...i have completely latched onto moving...i really don't know why? well, there are a few reasons, one large one being that i am really growing to HATE cold weather. i do NOT enjoy snow...i never did. i don't do snow sports and i do not like to be cooped up in my home when i could be outside sitting on my deck....i don't like it that i can't take the young ones out...i don't enjoy howling cold, recordbreaking winds for 24 hr clips...i'm really not linking it at all.

i was afraid this would happen...we had a chat a while back and hubbyman said he was willing to consider a move because of some things going on around the household. he also warned me to not become 'attatched' to the idea...OOPS! too late!

really, most times i enjoy it here in the Pocono Mountains. It really is beautiful in the spring, summer and fall...even when it freshly snows, if you can actually get out of your house  i can live without the constant reminder from my sweet dear hubbyman that there is a giant black bear that pops up weekly (really, she is about 500 lbs) to peruse the garbage can scene...one reason we stay indoors alot...it still thrills me to see deer in my yard, even though that is the reason i don't have anything green in my yard  (couldn't resist, sorry!) We have been here for a little over four years now and i don't know why i have this "moving bug"...i haven't moved around that much in my life...the first half of my life spent lived in the same town, and besides the past  4 years, within a 20 minute drive of said hometown. Hmmmmm. I don't get it. But what i have to NOT do, is drive my sweet, dear hubbyman out of his mind about it (but i have a HUGE list of information on my chosen state, should he ask! )

so i am off to tuck in the littlkes, crawl into a warm bed with my s.d.h.m. to watch the latest political fiasco...ummm, i mean watch a little news, weather and maybe catch CSI...my life ain't so bad!

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i cannot BEGIN to say what a misreable wretch i would be if i had no electric, heat or computer! I said Thank You to Jesus for all of these today, but let me begin at the beginning!

it started at 3AM...yes, you see that right, three o'clock in  the morning. my eyes whipped open and i thought, "hey, great, the Lord woke me up!" once i got up and actually saw the clock, went potty then looked out the window, my thought was, "okay, Lord, another hour? I'll be right here"

bad. very bad. the LORD has better plans and knows all, so WHY did i try to negotiate that?

anyhow, fast forward to 5:56 AM...hubbyman is gone without a trace, M's alarm is blasting away and it's chilly...sleepily make coffee, tell M to turn the darn thing off, then mnutter about how it wakes up everone except him, turn the heaters on in the living room, get coffee and all my bible paraphernailia. (yes, i have 2 bibles, a prayer journal and a notebook that i am dissecting "Purpose Driven Life" in) sit on the couch and start doing the reading thru a year plan (yes, i will fix that link in my last post!) and B wanders on in...now, being he's three, he usually can sit or play quietly while i'm reading, which he did for a few minutes till Young J came in, who was very cranky. I tried sending him back to lay down, but he popped the TV on, i went to make sure the large boys were up for school, and sat back down. Read thru one weight loss study, logged a quick prayer list and got the big ones up in time for the 6:54 power outtage...guess who isn't showering this morning?  now, living in the Pocono Mountains, we have our usual power blinks, but i knew from the way the lights flickered then went out that someone must have hit a power line (i actually found out later that it was iindeed a car in a power pole) (and no, i didn't even think to pray for the person who hit the pole till WAY later in the day  )

still with me?

so off the big ones went, and here i was with the little guys (who were quite freaked out as it was still dark and hubbyman has both flashlights in his car) so we sat and prayed a little then ate some sliced cheese and lit the fireplace (which my son M had set up for Christmas and we never lit it) and i still figured that the power would be on in about half an hour

fast forward again to 9AM, power still out and now i'm running out of wood. since we don't use the fireplace regularly, we are down to a small stack...OUT IN THE SHED! ...so i call M's friend who lives about 3 seconds away, and who is very large and helpful and ask him if he can please bring me in some wood from the shed...he complied even though i woke him up  and we were set till about 2:45...then things started to get ugly.

i was trying to get the littles to stay laying on thye couches under blankets and have a rest time...we did a few math drills, i was trying  to stitch, and the fire was dwindling, and we were on the last piece of wood. We had a 26 hr power outtage up here 2 years ago, so i knew we could be in for the long haul here. i debated calling the aforementiuoned friend again, but i knew he was on his way to the school bus for his younger sib's and M, so i tried to sit it out. By the time i did go out and get a few pieces, the fire died and i burned my ring finger really good. My poor hubbyman, who for the past hour i had been villianizing in my head for not turning around immediately and driving back 80 miles to get home at 7:30AM, chose to call. I toild him in the best ciontrolled voice i could that the fire died, it was cold, no, i have NOT heard from my sons yet AND i burned my finger. I informed him i was ready to cry, and then i felt so badly that i ranted to him without really ranting...you all know what i mean. Add to that the littles, who had about had enough homesteading alos at this point, were starting to run amuck...so i hung  up from that call feeling quite the loser, and waited for M to get home to restart the fire (he is my resident pyromaniac)

at 3:38 the power returned! 

at 3:39 M pulled up, and complained that the house was cold

at 4:08 Big J finally called, he did all  he had to do and blah, blah, blah. I told him if he would have called an hour sooner, he would have been ordered to come directly home via the pizza place. I really and truely fought the continuing bad feelings that hubbyman didn't come home and i didn't demand that HE bring home pizza and shrimp parmegian when he called at 4:40

so, we (me and the littles) sat at the table with steaming hot pancakes, and i asked them what they learned today. Young J said he learned that panicking doesn't help (very wise!) B said the same thing in three year old language...then Young J asked me what i learned. I said that God will get us through anything. But what i REALLY learned was that if God wakes me up at 3AM He has a darn good reason!

so that was my day...after i get dinner for hubbyman, i am taking a long hot shower and getting in my soft bed with the heat on high (for a while anyway)

and no matter WHAT time God wakes me up tomorrow morning, i am OUT of my bed!

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i need to get up early! please pray for me this week as i fight myself and my lazyiness

many thanks!

Barbara

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i'll spare youall the years i assumed that NYC was the ONLY city in the world that celebrated midinght on New Year's Eve! It's one of those "grew up within 20 miles of the Twin Towers" things that only other people who lived there know about...there's something about the Big Apple that is just so cool

anyhow, what are some of the things that you do/havedone if you aren't among us NYC influenced people? What other big cities have big celebrations? (not that i have ever been there for New Year's Eve...but my hubbyman went once as a teen and got his foot barfed upon...that pretty much settled in his mind that he really does hate crowds) I was fascinated while watching the Millenium celebrations, while holding my trusty flashlight to fend off immenent  Y2K doom, to see all the countries celebrating.

so come on now, tell me!!! (maybe Gena will give you a puppy if the story is good enough!)

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my hubbyman just left to drive my Mom home

i have a fridge FULL of leftovers and about 10,000 gallons of tomato sauce...maybe i'll give away quarts to go with Gena's puppies

i cannot WAIT to "undecorate" even though i went light this year

i love the Holiday, but like it even more when life gets back to normal, whatever that is in this house

we had a very blessed and busy time...hope everyone who stops here had the same...now we can count down to 2006, which holds my son's high school graduation and my 25th high school reunion...and whatever else the Lord has in store for our family. I can't wait to find out!

ps...unless you REALLY love nature shows, don't buy
March of the Penquins"

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the days ahead are promising to be very busy, then of course there's Christmas Day with company! I'll see you all next week!

till then:

much JOY and LOVE to all!

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haven't done this in a while! so off i go! let's see, who did i find today???

Tree House Island... a teen boy!!! and he has things to say!!! i am so impressed...

Corky's Corner...great graphics and graphic links! a military mom, uses Sonlight, nice posts! i'll keep her on my friends list

Homeschool F.R.E.A.K.S.....oh, go read the "Signs of a Curriculum Junkie"...we all can relate!

Sunny Days...i was going to be annoyed since she complained about the "cold snap" in FL (pu-LEEEEEEESE!!! it was -5 today here!) but what a great spirit! and she was also a "Blogger of the Week" with a nifty tag on her blog and all...(i want one!)

so i'm keeping an eye on her

Hannah's House...hey! she's ON my friend's list!!! (just kidden Lorrie...now WRITE something!!!)

well, that was fun and i have a few new friends i think...

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well, okay, yesterday!

you may look here for the guidelines or click on the nifty linkiebuttonthingie on the side bar over there-------->

This week's theme is the Beauty of Giving. Very appropriate!

Even if you don't enter, stop by Sallie and let her know that you are enjoying reading the blogs that are nominated. And definately enjoy the efforts of the sisters in Christ that do enter

>>>and Gena, i don't think that "giving away puppies" qualifies, but then again, ya just never know! **giggle, snicker, snort!**<<<

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i'll participate in the Holiday "Share and Tell"...like they don't hear enough from me on the message board! nod to PrairieGirl (even though i copied this off Challice's blog!)

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? I am certain there's room for both!

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? who is Santa?

4. Do you hang mistletoe? if i remember to buy it 

5. When do you put your decorations up? is there a deadline?

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? seafood buffet

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child? being at my cousins house and opening the "midnight" gifts

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? don't remember

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? do i really have to answer this question?

12. Can you ice skate? never could and do not desire to learn...it isn't warm at an ice rink! 

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? my orange 10 speed bike and my Bible

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Remembering that while it is Christ's season, His birthday, it is also a time for giving on earth. We learned from example that the best gift is to give from the heart, give with love. Happy Birthday Jesus...okay, i agree with this, i'm not changing it!

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Struffeli

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Christmas Eve, looking at Christmas lights

17. What tops your tree? Star

18. Which do you prefer Giving or Receiving? BOTH!!!!

19. What is your favorite Christmas Carol? Emmanuel; Joy To The World, ALL of them!

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum? YUMMMY IN HOT CHOCOLATE!!!

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hop on over to TwoTalentLiving and see who won the "Blogs of Beauty" contest! and say thatnlks to Salie for all the hard work!

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i was listening to this today while i was reading an Advent devotional from my favorite PrairieBug...i literally had to set all reading aside as tears flowed out of my eyes uncontrollably!

i find myself more and more emotional over "scared" music...even some CCM can get my eyes watery, but the really great, standard "church stuff" really tugs at my heart and tear ducts. Sometimes it makes me sad because of some backsliding i may have done in some areas, but mostly it's out of complete reverance and awe that the tears come...that my Creator, the God of all the Universe, the Alpha and Omega...that He would even consider a worm such as myself! That He would stretch out His arms of love to Me by sending a tiny babe, complete innocence, complete Sinless Perfection to make amends for all that i have wronged. Because HE loves me, He sent Christ to be born, live a short but wonderful life and to then become a Ransom for Myself and for Many...the very IDEA of that is overwhelming, never mind the FACT that it has been done...

it also became a cry from my heart for my children as the next song was "O Come Emmanuel"...oh!!! That Christ would ransom the hearts of my captive children! That my older ones would turn back to their Father and that my younger ones would never turn away! And may i be able to carry forth in HIS strength no matter what....

"O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.

Refrain

Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hark! The herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!”
Joyful, all ye nations rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With th’angelic host proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem!”

Refrain

Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”

Christ, by highest Heav’n adored;
Christ the everlasting Lord;
Late in time, behold Him come,
Offspring of a virgin’s womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
Hail th’incarnate Deity,
Pleased with us in flesh to dwell,
Jesus our Emmanuel.

Refrain

Hail the heav’nly Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings,
Ris’n with healing in His wings.
Mild He lays His glory by,
Born that man no more may die.
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.

Refrain

Come, Desire of nations, come,
Fix in us Thy humble home;
Rise, the woman’s conqu’ring Seed,
Bruise in us the serpent’s head.
Now display Thy saving power,
Ruined nature now restore;
Now in mystic union join
Thine to ours, and ours to Thine.

Refrain

Adam’s likeness, Lord, efface,
Stamp Thine image in its place:
Second Adam from above,
Reinstate us in Thy love.
Let us Thee, though lost, regain,
Thee, the Life, the inner man:
O, to all Thyself impart,
Formed in each believing heart.

Refrain

many blessings this season and always dear family of God!

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gotta love him!

i showed him my "nominee" tag last night...this after trying to explain what a blog was

his response?

"so long as no MEN want to meet you, that's great"

hey PG, does he know Sean?????

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Random Blog Time!!!

(actually i'm waiting on my new templet to arrive......)

so, i started at Geoff's blog...i won't comment on how men should NOT be bloggers

Motzart and Mudpies...great blog and what a beautiful oragami star she has posted! i'll have to keep my eye on her!

Looks Aren't Everything.... definately going on my friends list...anyone who lives in jammies is waaaaaaay cool in my book!

JoeM...okay, i confess i have stopped by there before, but i didn't realize he was a stinkin' teenager! (at least he LOOKS like one) he has lots of neato computer stuff that no one understands about on his blog

and i hit my usual 785468 blogs that no one ever wrote on and the 678 people that i already know and annoy on a regular basis....

so, i wonder if my new templet is done yet??? i guess i'll submit this entry and find out!

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this is alot better than TAGGING!

from Amy, coffee questions:

So I've seen a lot of little signs about coffee (and obsessions with coffee) on various blogs here at HSB, and I'm curious what everyone's drinking... SHARE and Tell: What brand of coffee do you drink?              at home: Green Mountain Decaf and Folgers Half-Caf for hubbyman Caffinated or de-caf?           a little of both Do you use grounds or beans and grind your own?              i grind my decaf and hubbyman's is already ground How do you take your coffee? (sugar, cream, flavored cream, ect.) or... do you prefer making your coffee into a latte, breve, or straight espresso?            i take mine with light cream, 3 tbsps, only 3 net carbs per cup

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in July Young J had written a letter to the Crocodile Hunter, telling him that he was of course the biggest fan, and he would like to visit the Zoo, etc. It was a cute letter and i didn't expect it to get into Steve's actual hand....

well, Young J recieved a packet in the mail yesterday from the Austrailian Zoo, with a zoo map, zoo info, a signed picture of Steve and family and a few other tidbits, including 2 bumper stickers, saying "Crikey!" and "Crocs Rule!"...he was so cute! He was thrilled to get mail to begin with, and that it was chock full of stuff was even better! I was really impressed that they DO read their fan mail (if not them personally, then at least SOMEONE did) and they take time to respond to kids.

we then watched 2 episodes (in which Steve picked up cobras, monitors, etc, and made me queasy!) and Young J declared his life's ambition was to move to Australia and become Steve's assistant!

 CRIKEY!!!

i guess our next unit will have to be Australia...i'll have to go look that up in the KONOS index!

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we had a very wonderful and quiet day yesterday...well, with the usual skirmishes, but quiet none the less.

my poor hubbyman hurt his back again and was pretty much sitting out most of the day. but we had a good day anyhow...even with the frustrations over the Macy's Parade (make that the Macy's Celebrity Interviews) even with the semi-excitement of a lamp post falling on spectators (i don't think they were hurt, or i wouldn't be funnin' about it, then again i have a weird sence of humour) and traditional fare of "Babes In Toyland", "Miracle on 34th Street" and "Million Dollar Trailer Parks"

it snowed   about an inch, but snow none the less...and it's only 19 degrees out there right now at 9AM....it looks pretty but my toes are tingling, and i can't say how much i dislike wearing socks, much less shoes/slippers in the house...i love to have "free footies"...oh well...maybe next year we'll be in a warmer place on the holidays, you just never know what the Lord has in store from one day to the next.

how was that for "random musings"??

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i finally figured out  how to get music on here!

now if they only carried Christmas Carols!

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