Hey! I was raised in the south most of my life and have been living up here in Northern Virginia for the last 18 years or so. I am blessed with three wonderful Christian children, affectionately known as Boozo (age 24), Sissy (age 21), and Sweet Pea (age 11). I'm a single parent with my youngest still at home. We share our home with 3 dogs, 1 cat, 2 birds and 1 fish right now. Please stop by often so we can get to know each other and share some of the wonderful things God has done and still IS doing in each of our lives today! I look forward to hearing from you! In His love.... Deb! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/bgwannabe/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Tue, 27 Oct 2009 23:30:00 -0500 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 23:30:00 -0500 My friend Laura, made me this recipe last year and I was HOOKED!! She just posted it on her blog so I just had to share it with all of you. For this recipe, you will need: 1 15 oz. can pumpkin 1 can evaporated milk 4 eggs 1 tsp. nutmeg 1/2 tsp. ginger 2 tsp. cinnamon 1/2 tsp. salt 3/4 c. sugar 1 box yellow cake mix 1/2 lb. melted butter 1 c. chopped walnuts (optional) Mix first 8 ingredients together and pour into greased 9x13 inch pan. Sprinkle 1 box yellow cake mix over pumpkin mixture, then 1 cup chopped walnuts over cake   mix. Then drizzle 2 sticks (1/2 pound) melted butter evenly over nuts and cake mix. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 to 60 minutes. Serve as is with pumpkin on bottom and cake on top. ENJOY! God bless~ Deb http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/bgwannabe/739908/ Tue, 27 Oct 2009 23:30:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/bgwannabe/739908/ I am so excited that I found a blog called Joyous Notions. Each month, they will be giving away TWO full subscriptions to their magazine, Seasons At Home! How AWESOME is that? I just LOVE giveaways......don't you? Seasons At Home magazine is a full-color, print publication created to encourage families and better prepare themselves through the passing on of life skills needed in the home. Seasons is filled with articles and projects that revolve around homeschooling, sewing, cooking and baking, gardening, Titus 2 encouragement, themed teas for mothers and daughters, father/son projects, and daughters at home. You have many opportunities to be entered into the drawing. You will get one entry for each of the following: 1. One entry just for leaving your name (First name and last name initial or full name) 2. One entry for tweeting the giveaway on your Twitter page (you must leave a link in the comment to your Twitter page for us verify) 3. One entry for blogging about the giveaway (again leave a link in the comment to your blog for us to verify) 4. You may grab one of the graphics below to link to us from your sidebar. (Again, leave a link in the comment for us to verify!) For a full list of entry details, please go here Good luck and God Bless! Deb http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/bgwannabe/719996/ Sun, 23 Aug 2009 17:40:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/bgwannabe/719996/ Will you pray with me today for Mark Ruffner, a young man in our community, his wife and 3 small children.  A few days ago he fell 38 feet, almost 4 stories, off the roof of a building in town. He had surgery this morning, which went well, but he still remains in critical condition. Please pray that God will heal him in a miraculous way and give his family the courage, strength, and peace they need during this difficult time. Thank you so much, my friends, for all your prayers lifted up in the name of Mark.  They are greatly appreciated! Blessings~ Deb http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/bgwannabe/690550/ Tue, 19 May 2009 14:02:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/bgwannabe/690550/ A little while back, my mom and I started making these Versa (versatile) Bags just for fun.  Never did I imagine, although I did hope, that these bags would take off.  My mom and I have recently opened an on-line store so if you would like to see what else we have available, please click here!  They can be used for so many things.  Each tote has padded pockets inside AND out, which help to insulate cold water bottles, cokes, baby bottles, whatever!  Some smaller pockets can be used to keep your car keys handy, hold sunglasses.... the uses are endless!       My friend WaWa loves this one because it has a country/shabby chic feel to it.      You could use it for a diaper bag (boy)        (girl)     I have made this Nautical tote for those who love the water....... and for all those NASCAR fans out there!    For all ordered, YOU choose a fabric print that represents YOUR personality, favorite sport, college, hobby, or anything!  Then, have me monogram or embroider their name, a phrase, a verse, or a picture of  something to further personalize their tote! They make great graduation gifts, wedding gifts, birthday gifts, shower gifts, any kind of gift!  Give it as-is or fill it full of surprises!    MORE totes are being made each day:  Beach totes, musical totes, overnight or weekend totes, dog/cat carry-alls, even totes for school, college, portfolios, real estate, again.... ANYTHING!         My daughter, Barlow Girl girl, is making these ADORABLE "Kitty" pin cushions to sell so she can pay for her own horseback riding lessons.  I am so PROUD of you, Sweet Pea!          God bless you! Deb http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/bgwannabe/688688/ Wed, 13 May 2009 16:04:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/bgwannabe/688688/ Memory Verse:  Psalms 55:22 - Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee; He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.   Assignment: This would be a good week to tell about your worst struggles with a lifestyle of homeschooling.  Tell about something you’ve struggled with and how God’s mercies gave us the strength to get past it.  Also, share any curriculum/homeschool methods that have been a relief to you, i.e., a particular Teacher’s Manual or Homeschooling method that’s been easier for your family.  Talk about how you felt when the burden was lifted and Oh, What a Relief it is!   Good mornin, Homeschool Moms! (to the tune of "Good Mornin, Vietnam!") Hey everyone!  Well?  I've rolled up my sleeves and pant legs and am all ready to "jump" into this assignment!  Here is a typical morning for this early in the homeschool season: 7:00am - alarm wakes me up and I hit snooze 7:20am - snooze gets me outta bed and I head for the bathroom through squinted vision (I wear my contact lenses to bed and my eyes are in desperate need of MOISTURE right now!) 7:30am - I attempt to wake up my 11-1/2 year old zombie baby then go downstairs for my IV of caffeine! 8:00am - I resort to tickling my daughter to get her outta bed.  (Now at this point, I don't know if she will wake up in a good or bad mood!) 8:05am - Good or bad mood, we go downstairs for prayer, devotions (sets the tone for the rest of the day), and she fixes her own breakfast most the time. 8:30am - I've already prepared her schoolwork assignments the week before and she has her books lined up and ready to begin as I go into the next room for my personal Beth Moore Bible Study.  I turn the computer on to play my downloaded music selections of Integrity music, Selah, Mercy Me... then gradually increase the tempos to Kutless, Barlow Girl, and Jeremy Camp.  Next, (hopefully) we're REALLY making way through the school work and jump the beat up to Super Chick and more Barlow Girl (bgwannabe... get it?) 10am - If I want to keep things running smoothly, I fix her a little snack to keep up the energy and keep her from rummaging through the kitchen, wasting precious time. 12:00pm - lunch!  Usually, she's not very far behind on finishing up and we eat together.  I take this time to go over any difficulties she's having, sometimes grading her day's work right then and there... but NO TV!!! 12:30-1:00pm - after the "feeding of my beast" (spoken with love now!)... the rest of the day's work flies by much easier which also gives me an atmosphere of peace to grade all that day's work and prepare for the next day.  I've always been very honest and upfront with my children and as far as homeschooling goes, I've explained that this will NOT be a walk in the park, sleep all day, play the rest of the day... this is work.  I live by the "work before play" motto and teach her the values I grew up with from my mother.  She's old enough now to understand that there will be either consequences or rewards for the choices she makes in her zealous work getting done, laziness in work NOT getting done, and ALWAYS a great attitude and organization bringing forth great grades!  Being an unemployed, single stay at home mother of a home schooled daughter, brings many challenges not only to the education I am held accountable for in teaching her, but the patience fluctuation levels that she sees me example to her from my own personal Christian walk and life with Christ.  It's not so much what we "tell" our children, as it is what we "show" our children.  I want to be pleasing to God and to have my children call me blessed one day. When my daughter checks in on me and asks me to sit out on the porch swing with her while she reads.... this is the time my heart sings "oh what a relief the school work is done"!  She is currently reading the "Lily Series" of books and then we will begin the "Left Behind" series for children. Once school work is done, then housework... I've added "life skills" to her agenda which simply means she and I play in the kitchen, the sewing room, the craft room, and the garden!  Thus, ending each day on a good note, enjoying each other's company, and the sense of accomplishment on work well done!        Picture ideas: That never ending, hard to keep clean closet (shelves), the children doing school work you didn’t know if they would ever get a grasp on, your schedule or organizer with plans for the day Share your favorite scripture and don’t forget the Memory Verse above. You may use this graphic for all your Assignments.   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/bgwannabe/588651/ Thu, 11 Sep 2008 16:01:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/bgwannabe/588651/   In "Oklahoma", you've heard the song "Oh, What a Beautiful Feeling...." well?  Coming from MY entry, you'll hear this song today!  Beautiful feelings, great memories, and many sentimental feelings when I remember back to when I "HAD" to get my education!  I am the oldest of three and we were raised so far back in the woods of Jacksonville, FL SOOOOOOO many moons ago, that we burned our own property off for a college duplex dorn (our home) to be set in the middle of this remote setting!  We three had to walk 3/4 mile JUST TO THE BUS STOP, ride for 35 extremely B U M P Y minutes down the longest dirt rut road that was ever carved in the U.S., and then spend the rest of the day in school.  Now, back in the "old school", we had laws that just do not exist in public schools (where I am living presently, anyway!).  Laws such as respect, obedience, speaking WHEN spoken to, safety patrol boys/girls, work before play, and... oh yes!  DISCIPLINE at the Principal's office!  Our principal hung this tree-carved paddle with holes drilled throughout it on his door, meant to scare the padoodles out of you if you EVEN walked into his dark and dreaded chambers!!!   Ok, sorry... back to my entry:  my childhood school years were great!  I was teacher's pet for all of my elementary years as well as the tallest human being God ever created to attend school!  The "pet years" faded in middle and high school, but the height kept on!   I definitely stood out!  The problem?  I didn't WANT to be noticed!  I was the kid who sat in the BACK of every class, cause I witnessed just how cruel and mean other kids can be behind your back!  So, by sitting  in the very back, against the wall, no one could mess with me without my knowing.  The next problem?  I soon realized "bad" kids sat in the back as well!  I learned to adjust by being quiet in school and then come to my freedom haven, called home, and be "me". Having said all of that, this laid part of the foundation in my desire to homeschool my own children.  Now, mix that with the blessing of being around your children ALL day long, being responsible for ALL of their education, habits (good and bad), personality development, interests, hobbies, etc?  OH YEAH!  My mom always told me since I understood the formation of sounds into words... that I'd be a good mother and wife one day.  So I can tell you that since my now 25 year old son was born, I've wanted to homeschool!  However, up until 2 years ago, I've never had that blessed opportunity.  Being a single mom most all of my children's lives, I've had to work!  I became unemployed 2-1/2 years ago and worried myself to pieces.  God used that time to grow me in ways I honestly didn't think He'd want to invest in me!  The voids in my life were soon filled with prayer, my best bud (Wawa), prayer, Bible Studies, prayer, church, more Bible Studies!  I still didn't find employment that was permanent, but last year I figured I'd give the homeschooling a shot.  I talked it over with my then 10 year old daughter, telling her what to expect and not expect, and that until I got a job, we'd commit to it.  Ladies... it was one of the best top-10 decisions I feel I ever made!  I had a HUGE diamond in the rough... but even through those tough times, it felt like I was doing the right thing.  It completed me!   Here we are THIS year... still with no permanent job, but you know what?  I've seen that God isn't so good after all... HE IS GREAT!!!!!!!  He has blessed me in unexpected and surprising ways to maintain my bills getting paid!  My daughter actually LOOKED FORWARD to homeschool again this year!  God blessed me with a friend who has 8 children... and MY DAUGHTER fell in between the ones in the end of her child bearing years so that I could borrow her books for FREE!!!!  (If you learn anything about me at all, you'll see I go crazy over frugal living!)  That, and many other signs, were confirmation for me to continue homeschooling.  The income I am trying and praying over is my sewing and wood-working.  I'm not even making enough to go to the movies once a month with my daughter, but I "AM" surviving!  I may have it tough here... but I read how tough Paul had it in the Bible... and I shut my mouth!  GOD IS GREAT!!!!!!!    So my goals for my daughter?  To continue bringing her up in the constant daily life of how I feel and believe God wants all of our children to be brought up according to His Word, in this very cruel, mean, and hateful world.  She doesn't have to hear how fat or ugly she is by mean peers, or have someone ridicule her at PE because she's not as good as they think she should be!  No sir, not at all!  She is told by me, her teacher, her principal, her mother... that she is one of the five most beautiful things God has EVER created (one is my mom, my two other children, and my closest friend Wawa).  Not only is she beautiful, she is intelligent, creative, funny, and godly.  Her physical abilities?  She's not the "atheletic" type as we know it, but she is coached by me to "keep going", "great job", "that a girl", "you're getting there now"...!  Which brings me to my favorite Bible verse since I was like 12 years old:  "I count not myself to have apprehended but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and pressing  toward the prize of the high calling of God, which is in Christ Jesus" Philippians 3:13, 14. Thank you for reading my entry (those of you who made it all the way through, anyway).  It has helped to regenerate a few of those good childhood feelings to share with my daughter tonight!  God bless, and please hold us in your prayers for the obvious spiritual warfare we are all in, and for the financial challenges God is refining me for!  http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/bgwannabe/586515/ Sun, 7 Sep 2008 17:36:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/bgwannabe/586515/ So much news has accumulated over the summer that I haven't had the joy to share with any of you!  The most of our summer was consumed with our minor league baseball team!  It was by far the absolute BEST team in talent that we have ever had!  We ended up not only sweeping the Northern Division in our area, but the full championship as well!  To top even that.... about 7 or 8 of our previous guys from the last 3 years have actually been drafted into the major leagues!  Yep!  If you're a baseball nut like I tend to be in the summer, you will appreciate knowing that we even have a guy that is playing left field for the Mets!  I'm missing our guys already... they became sorta family while they spent their entire summer here in our little town!  Ok, next?  My son is making me a first time grandma!  YIPPEEEEE!  "Our" baby should be held in our arms around October 13th!  The sonogram declares it a boy... but really only God knows!  Please whisper a quick prayer for us that he/she will be healthy and will be born to love and serve God at a very early age!  I also ask that the mommie deliver easy and most importantly, please pray with me that she come to know our Lord!  I'm not sure that she's NOT saved.... but the evidence has not convinced me.  I believe with my heart that my son IS saved... but his life is not evidencing the truths that it should!  I pray that this child of his coming into the world will open his eyes to a better understanding of how a Father/child relationship is filled with love and such, as God has exampled for us all. Hmmm... what else?  Oh my!!! LOTS... just don't know how much to share at one time!  I'm adding scroll-sawed portraits to my repertoire of sewing, alterations, monogramming, etc.  It's really a time-consuming ordeal, but oh so beautiful!  I'm asking God to bless my talents for financial opportunities of income, since I am unemployed.  One simply mails me a picture of a loved one and without touching their original, I cut this out in oak or poplar for a very beautiful matted/framed picture that will last!  I will place a few pictures of some of my work on a blog shortly.  If you see them, please comment and critique me with your opinions and thoughts!  I'd love to hear from you! I've joined a Blogger Friend School and they give weekly assignments that you can join in doing if you choose to.  For more information, click here.  I'm also attempting to stay busy meeting other Christians by having joined The Homeschool Lounge.  This one is also really cool.  My best bud showed me a tea swap she participated in, where she made some things from home to send to another and likewise received some things made by another lady.  Sound confusing?  Well... that's because "I" am trying to explain it without having DONE it yet... go to that site and read (more intelligently) for yourself and maybe you and I will be paired up for a tea swap!  It'll be fun!  Well?  My bestest bud and I just got back from a Beth Moore "Fruits of the Spirit" Bible study and it's getting late so I will hope to hear from you and develop a relationship of friendship with many of you this year!  God bless your families and keep us in your prayers as well!  http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/bgwannabe/583605/ Mon, 1 Sep 2008 20:23:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/bgwannabe/583605/ My daughter, BarlowGirlGirl and I, and WaWa and her son, Kiddo, went for a drive up on the mountain.  We had such a wonderful time, I wanted to share it with ya'll! God Bless~ Deb   Our first stop........McDonald's! That' me and Sweat Pea!   Here I am with my best bud, WaWa!    A picture of me taking a picture of my little angel!  Isn't she sweet? WOW.........What a view!!!  Sweet Pea and Kiddo, just hangin' and havin' some fun!   I love this one!    We even managed to see nature at its BEST!   COOL!   BEAUTIFUL! WOW!!   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/bgwannabe/583193/ Sun, 31 Aug 2008 23:05:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/bgwannabe/583193/ How old is your Bible? I'm not sure, but I do remember I bought it when I misplaced my favorite leather bound Bible.  Probably some 7 years ago.  It is a paperback NIV, so I keep a zippered cover to protect it from all mishaps. Why did you chose this Bible? I prefer NIV to KJV expecially when I explain things to my daughter in a much more "understandable" language. Do you highlight/mark passages in your Bible? Constantly!!  I mark all that I read in hopes that one day my Bible will be underlined/highlighted from cover to cover.  In fact, I choose to underline in only one color, so that when my Bible is passed down to my children, they will underline likewise, but in a different color, and so on,  until the whole Bible is underflined entirely! If so, what is your system for marking passages?   I guess I should have read all the questions first - but I mark as I read and study. Do you have notebooks to record things?  I write in steno pads, all dated with my prayer concerns, and keep Bible Study workbooks nearby. Where is your favourite spot to read your Bible? In the cooler months, I read in the living room (ironic?) close by my daughter as she does her homeschooling.  Then in the summer, I enjoy taking my studies to a hillside or mountain view to read and study surrounded by nature sounds. Are there any special thoughts about your Bible you want to share?  It was during the "usage" of this Bible that my life was completely redirected and truly centered on God and all the He chooses for me, that makes it so special. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/bgwannabe/480893/ Thu, 14 Feb 2008 13:42:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/bgwannabe/480893/   Today is my best buddy's birthday!  PLEASE go see her at http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/profiles/ilovemy3angelbabies/ and wish her a great day with your favorite Bible Verse!  She's a wonderful friend, very loving, kind, giving, Christian, a great mother, sister, daughter, wife, friend..... She's never appreciated equally for as much as she's given to others!  Nice people like this are often taken for granted and taken advantage of by those closest to them.... I pray I NEVER take her in ANY way but as answered prayer!  She'll do ANYTHING for almost ANYONE... and if not told thank you?  She'll do something ELSE for you!  She's a rare and precious gift to anyone who knows her!  HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, WAWA!  Love you much!  See ya later today! BG and Barlowgirlgirl http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/bgwannabe/476210/ Thu, 7 Feb 2008 06:32:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/bgwannabe/476210/