Jan. 23, 2008 - Six Unimportant Things Meme
I've been tagged for a scrumptious meme!!
Rain at www.rainsmusings.com has this unbelievable way of chatting that makes me feel like I am in her kitchen helping make coffee & visiting!! Wonderful........visit!! You'll adore her!
The rules for this meme are: (1) Link to the person that tagged you. (2) Post the rules on your blog. (3) Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself. (4) Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs. (5) Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website.
Okay, now for the Unimportant Things about me:
1. I "hide" organic foods & especially vegetarian "meats" in our meals so my Beloved doesn't know he is eating healthy!
2. I do not enjoy clutter. Or lots of furniture, rugs, & "stuff". My/our clutter consists of books (ask my sister in law, who helped me move all the boxes!!)
3. I randomly pick up my drums and start beating!! I always surprise the kids and frighten the pets!! Yet....smiles follow and dancing!! Always worth a surprise drumming circle!
4. I always make a chocolate cake for myself and my teenage poppet when we start our Moon Blood (menses). We normally only have one cake a month, because we used to "cycle" together. Now, lately, it's been two cakes a month. I love to make myself chocolate cake!!!
5. I've been sleeping in way too much. I think that might be a health issue. But I think it's laziness & hibernation. Regardless, please don't call before 7:30am. I honestly won't answer!! 
6. Did you read the book, "The Secret"? Well, I love the inspriration in that book, it cheers me up & makes me remember that my attitude does matter.....and it (my attitude, that is) does attract like attitude. (hence, the drummings!!) I have a 2008 Calendar that I rip the pages off, you know, one of those daily sayings calendars; and every morning.......I pick up my cold coffee (because I slept too long), and walk over to my calendar and read the inspriration!! And off to my day I go!!
*oh, and I love my nose ring! (random thought #7)
So......that was a wee bit strangely liberating!! Ahhh.......my hippie, patchochi loving spirit always wins!! So I am now tagging these scrumptious bloggers!!
Amy from Dandelion Seeds........lovely!!
Karen from Between the Worlds.....very smile-ly blogs!!
Cindy from Realize Your Potential.....great blogger!!
Lynn from Camelot Homestead Academy........I'm inspired by her!
Happy Camper from My Nature Journal........new to her blog, yet totally blown away by her pictures!! and she is a fellow Indianaian (did I spell that right?......oh, horror!!)
Jodi from Home Grown Hearts........new to her blog also, and so impressed!! Ug...so much I could do to my blog!! *smile* good work girl!!
So, go to it!! Go visit these yummy blogs, coffee & chocolate in hand if you must!! But go, and have a blessed, beautiful, drum-beating day!!
Kelly
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Jan. 22, 2008 - Is it Tuesday already?
This week is flittering by, as is the month of January. Sad, because I missed out on the 75% off bags of Hershey's kisses from Christmas. Drat!! The cold here in rural Indiana is breath-taking. Tank refuses to go out, looking at me with those puppy eyes; pleading that he will just potty in "that one spot in the kitchen that I always potty at!" look. Some days, I do have to say, I give in. Fine. I don't want to freeze off body parts either, thank you very much.
Besides, I have this groovy good Shaklee stuff to clean it up. And left over Dr. Bronner's peppermint soap to do the job too!! Mopping with a few drops of peppermint oil I do have to say is lovely.....well worth the getting ready to mop experience. Try it, you'll like it!!
On my LIST today:
*German.....all of us.
*"The Horse and His Boy" audio, finish tape 2. I LOVE audio books, just discovered them. Even though we are a "unschooling" family; doesn't mean we don't read!! We adore our library, with aisles and aisles of yummy offerings. And now, I've discovered that I can pop one of these lovies in and "presto" no argueing at the breakfast table!! Fabulous!!
*Library.
*Think about the Math/science co-op idea I have whirling around in my head!
*Yoga; pray; think of my path and what I want to connect with.
*Make Cinnamon rolls. (I'll post a picture of these scrumptious diet no-no's later!)
I do have to say, I love home-schooling my poppets for this very reason: we love to sleep in the winter!! We are like Bears. And hopefully one day, very soon, my Beloved will join us in this winter ritual too!! It's much too cold to get up so early and move about. Now........summer time, ahhh......we thrive. Up at 5am. Laundry on the line at 6am. House is mopped early, baking is completed by 9am. so the house doesn't get so hot. (*I'm dreaming, can you tell???)
Time to turn on some music, make some tea, do some yoga, and wake up!! Have a blessed, yummy, God-filled, good swirling all around you day!!
Kelly
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Jan. 17, 2008 - Frugal Fridays
Normally I don't like to focus too much on what we don't have. I think it's bad "karma"!! I'd rather focus on all of the good that we have been blessed with. So being "Frugal" is simply for us an everyday thing.
It's an understanding of how long Daddy has to work to bring home this amount of money that helps fund buying a home of our own, food, school stuff, electricity, heat........and well, everything (thanks honey!!).
Here are some of the normal everyday things we do around Sage Manor that others may feel are frugal.
*we use cloth napkins ...80% of the time.
*we put a limit on shower time (save the fishes man!!)
*if we are not in the room, lights are not on.
*we use those new Fluorescent bulbs, everywhere.
*we purchase our cleaning supplies at Shaklee, our home business, because of who they are & what they stand for when it comes to environmental issues. And we like what we buy!
*we try to THINK about packaging when we purchase. How much trash is this going to create?? I have to tell you when you start thinking in this manner, you will eat healther & become healther. I would like to have 90% of the food we eat have NO packaging. (what has packaging? In our home: coffee, milk, coconut oil, butter, meat, t.p. & animal food)
*In the spring (which will come soon, God willing!) it's gardens, herbs & fresh eggs here at the Manor! Being Self-Sufficient is being Frugal!
All of this adds up in the long run, every bit of it. For us, it isn't about necessarily "saving a few dollars" because sometimes that pound of grapes is going to be way higher in price than 4 candy bars...but....we will make the choice to buy the grapes!!
And being frugal minded is about choice. Here is another example: my Beloved and I LOVE to go to a Habitat for Humanity Re-Store..........so much fun!! And it's so satisfying buying things that we need for our home there than it is at Lowe's or Home Depot. And the money we save has been big.....but it's also knowing that we are being a more conscious part of our world. That is what frugal is to us!! It is very much a blessed life choice!!
Namaste~Kelly
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Jan. 17, 2008 - Wicked Cold!!
This Indiana weather is incredible!! So nasty cold today and coming this weekend!! Burr!! So we are staying bundled ("Put on another sweater, Poppet!!") and playing games & drinking HOT teas.
Things to do today:
1. Be grateful!
2. Smile!
3. Bundle Up!
4. Drink chocolate!!
5. Love!
6. Do yoga!! (Love your body!)
Love this fabric over my door: makes me think of the summer solstice!!
Namaste~ Kelly
*p.s. LOVING our Shaklee products: if you have a chance, check out our "Family Business" site.....so good, so green!!
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Jan. 16, 2008 - So bad!!
I am soooo bad at this every day posting, picture thing!! So sorry!! We have been crazy busy around here. Husbands college classes started up again, German, Rosetta Stone has been on constantly!! Gutten Tag!!
And now, all the poppets are in bed, and my beloved is on the floor wrestling with Tank!! The proclaimed "dog hater"!! *caught*
Be Blessed this week!! I had to teach a Young Women's class this evening and it is amazing the lack of self esteem these beautiful girls have. I tell you: Claim this: You are beautiful. You are a Divine Creation. You are worth it, worth it all!
Know your importance!! KNOW & CLAIM that you are a Daughter of the King.
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Jan. 13, 2008 - Breathing
"I'm going to do Yoga!" my poppets are getting used to this phrase. They know not to distrube me "unless the house is on fire or Jesus is at the door." *smile* (no offense, please smile!)
Breathing you would think is a natural thing to do. I have learned though that it is not. I haven't allowed myself breathing room for a while now and it has given great harm. And now I am learning the great art of Pranayama, a deep purpose filled breathing. And it is wonderful!
So today, my friends..........breathe. We do so much! We are wives, lovers, teachers, watchers, learners, givers, care-takers, bakers, cleaners, drivers, sisters, daughters, friends, preachers, walkers, readers, writers, singers..........(*add your own description!)
Breathe.
Deep & meaningful. Hopes, dreams, passion & purpose: Breathe in.
Breathe out: Fear, sickness, loneliness, & all negative yuck.
Namaste~ Kelly
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Jan. 12, 2008 - A Wicked Headache...day 3
........I've tried everything. Asprin, vitamins, protein, and a 16oz. Coke. After the Coke I do have to admit that the pain subsided a tad. Wicked. wicked pounding going on. And I know what it has to do with. Books that make me think & question. Bad food still in my pantry, and puppies that refuse to remember that they must, must go outside to pee. Wicked food. Wicked puppy.
Have you ever wanted the summer sun to pour onto your just about nude body ?......no poppets around of course. Oh, I do think that would fix my wicked headache. Sunshine. And in the mean time I must think good thoughts. Think Prosperity, Wisdom, Safety & Tranquility. 
So I think I will go hide and do Yoga!! You did get a picture today (from Art.com!) and I did look up the word "Wicked". Found a very suitable one that said the word, but she was naked on an airplane nose. So, thought better of it! *sigh* Wicked!!
Find yummy peace today. Health. Safety. Tranquility. Prosperity. and Wisdom in all sorts of scrumptious forms!!
Kelly
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Jan. 11, 2008 - Day 2 Sage Manor: Unschooling Quotes
"You cannot teach a person anything; you can only help him find it within himself." -Galileo
"I can't give you a brain, but I can give you a diploma." -L. Frank Baum, The Wizard of Oz
UNSCHOOLING FOOD!
"I do not believe much in education. Each man ought to be his own model, however frightful that may be." -Albert Einstein
"It is a miracle that curiosity survives formal education." -Albert Einstein
"My grandmother wanted me to have an education, so she kept me out of school." -Margaret Mead
"I hate, loathe and despise schools....School is bad for you if you have any talent. You should be cultivating that talent in your own particular way." -Maurice Sendak (author of "Where the Wild Things Are")
TANK: PLAYING IN A BOX! THE ULTIMATE TOY!
"Education consists mainly in what we have unlearned." -Mark Twain
"Children do not need to be made to learn about the world, or shown how. They want to, and they know how." -John Holt
"Nothing in education is so astonishing as the amount of ignorance that accumulates in the form of inert facts." -Henry Adams
"When was the last time you saw a tombstone with SAT scores inscribed on it?" -Edward B. Fiske
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Jan. 10, 2008 - 30 Days of my life!
I've seen some other blogger friends try this, and I am going to just throw in my hat and start taking a few more pictures around here! *smile Poppets!* So enclosed is the beginning of our scrumptious walk here at Sage Manor!!
And for all those interested: at this very yummy moment I am downloading updates for our Rosetta Stone package : DEUTSCH! We can't wait and I'm going to have to break out the sticky notes and start labeling things around the manor!! LOL......I'm sure you'll see upcoming pics of that!!
Blessings!
Oh, if your wondering what the yellow tube in the middle is........it's a blow-dart!! Essential around here. Nothing like a plastic dart wizzing by a naughty animal (or unsuspecting Daddy!) to get their attention!!
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Jan. 5, 2008 - Rethinking Education
"At the heart of Rethinking Education is the awareness that children are supremely capable of absorbing and using knowledge from our complex world."
I can't wait!! Are you going? We will be there!! And hopefully our family can be apart of the organization (volunteered to help!) .
Mark your calendars! The dates for the 12th national conference on Rethinking Education are set for Thursday, Sept. 4 - Monday, Sept. 8 at the Westin Park Central in Dallas, Texas.
Why we Unschool...just a few little reasons?
1. Because our children know what interests them & they will follow their hearts desires and learn (really, they will)!
2. We live.........therefore we learn.
3. We learn what we believe is important when we are ready.
4. They get to visit Grandparents whenever they want. And Papa is always building something cool!
It's going to be a very cool 11th birthday for my Poppet, as we will be in Dallas, Texas to celebrate!!
Namasta!
Kelly
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Jan. 4, 2008 - Who we are ............. walking with the environment
Here is just something I copied off of the Shaklee main page. We here at Sage Manor, my family.....are very involved in environmental issues. It matters. Just like it matters how we school our Poppets. Just like it matters what we put in our bodies. If you should have any questions, go to the web site, and get ahold of me. Walk softly, it's lovely!
Peace & Blessings............Kelly www.shaklee.net/sagemanor
4 simple ways to Get Clean.
Your home should be the safest, healthiest, cleanest place in the whole world.
So we’ve put together some pretty easy things you can do to make your family safer and your home healthier.
And, as it turns out, what’s good for your home is good for the earth and everyone else on it, too. So let’s make our
homes healthy. Let’s clean our hearts out. Let’s Get Clean.
1.www.householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov/products.htm
2. local waste collection service has guidelines for proper household hazardous waste disposal, as well as collection
sites for things like paint, batteries, and cleaners. Whatever you do, please don’t toss this stuff in the garbage.
3. Here are some safe, healthy things to have in your home:
• Cleaners that are truly cleaner. Get Clean offers product choices that are: nontoxic, natural, biodegradable,
concentrated, and hypoallergenic. To learn more, please visit Shaklee.com.
• Fresh air. Open your windows to reduce indoor air pollution.
• Essential oils. Use these instead of air fresheners.
• Plants. Besides being nice to look at, they can absorb harmful gases and help clean the air.
• Organic cotton bedding. Avoid standard bedding treated with chemicals.
• Floors made of recycled and renewable resources.
• Healthier paint. That new paint smell can be as nasty as it smells. Choose low VOC paint instead.
4. • Compact fluorescent lighting. They last a whole lot longer.
• Energy Star-rated appliances. Save money and energy.
• A low-flush toilet. Replace the largest user of water in your house. Ultra low flushers cut water use by one-fifth.
• Low-flow showerheads. Same pressure. Less water.
• Your flicker finger. Turn off lights and appliances when you’re not using them.
• Gray water system. Install one to recycle used household water for your lawn.
• Tankless water heater. Save money, energy, and space in the broom closet. Use it to store your new
Get Clean Starter Kit.
©2007 Shaklee Corporation. Distributed by Shaklee Corporation,
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Jan. 2, 2008 - Creating what you want
We all do it. Create what we want. And it seems that the new year just brings on promises upon promises to ourselves: me included. Today, the words: Yoga/Mom is scribbled in all of our new calendars! I am so excited. I cannot wait. I am creating what I want this year. I will not wait. It is MY season.
I want peace.
I want comfort, love, compassion flowing through me at all times. And yes, I know some of you are thinking, Yoga isn't going to do THAT. *smile* betcha! It will. Along with many other life affirming things that I am doing in my life like smooching my husband and kids more, reading my scriptures more, looking outside (through ice covered windows, albeit), drinking more water, listening to me and what I NEED this coming year. All is well. I am grateful. For what I have and what is to be. The art of yoga stills my mind so I can hear. And that I am ready for.
Many Blessings to all this coming year!
Kelly
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Dec. 28, 2007 - Fell into.......
Another beautiful, scrumptious blog: Dandelion Seeds . www.homeschoolblogger.com/DandelionSeeds
Amy has this incredible way of projecting God's love and concern for His Daughters. She has also offered free a wonderful devotional for the up and coming year (and a donation/faith button for those who can). I have really benefited from reading the wisdom of this Sister!!
more later...........off to fetch Poppets!
Kelly
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Dec. 24, 2007 - Blog Challenge: A Gift
When we hit a certain age, Christmas becomes clearer. It's like the haze lifts and we see the commercialism of our country sucking our children into creatures that we no longer recognize. And it's hard for us "typically worn-out during this time of the year" Mamas to hold on to the precious-ness of this season.
A son was born. Bringing light, salvation, and goodness into the darkness of wonder.
Gifts come in so many, beautiful, colourful packages. So many choices these days. It is no longer about starting sewing on a special project six months ahead of time to finish before Christmas morning. I am certain as I type my thoughts, there are many frustrated, over-pushed parents out there looking for the perfect gift for their own Poppets.
My gift to you this season is the same that I gave to myself the beginning of this month. It is the gift of SLOWNESS. "Slowness" you say?? Yes, dear ones, slowness. Slowness in order to see the importance of the Season. Slowness to sit and listen. To play games that take hours to play! Slowness that gave me the gumption to say "no" to an invitation from people at church even! May you have slowness to see and hear the Spirit whisper, as the snowflakes lazily drop down from the heavens. Whispers that help our heart hear, that wash away the fear, the give us encouragement through some of the hardest of times. Whispers can only come when we slow down enough to listen.
Enjoy the rest of this season! And may you and your family be blessed and know Slowness!
Kelly & fa.
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Dec. 23, 2007 - It's over
Finally.
They are home.
Home to learn, and explore. To ask and get answered. To read real books. To paint, create, and glue. I am so very thankful to have my Poppets Home!! May this new year bring blessings, and good things, challenges & rewards, soft music & safety. Love, good, good love wrap around your families and erase disease, hatred & fear. Bring in the New Year!!
Auf Wiedersehen und Fröhliches Weihnachten!
Kelly & fa.
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Dec. 18, 2007 - Taking a Deep Breath
My one Poppet is done with school. This week is finals, and we decided collectively that there honestly was no point. So she made homemade lip balm, and printed calling cards out, and off she went. It is wonderful to have her back.
My son is staying till this Friday (3 more days!), they are doing a cool science project with some Purdue students that he wants to stay for, plus, the Christmas party is Friday
And now I take a breath. I do have to say, the "freedom" of public school is tempting for parents. Poppets gone for 7 hours at a time gives said parent time to do anything her heart longs for. Yet, I know, I know.....I am so very glad they decided on their own to migrate back. Even though we unschool, I did set up a loose schedule for them. I know there will be some major adjusting coming from a very structed environment to one of complete freedom with drums, dancing, cooking, and glue!!
And I think I created the schedule for me, for my peace of mind. Isn't that funny?? Freedom needing schedules: hmmm, how interesting. I mentioned to my husband last eve that I thought it was strange that we were promoting unschooling/freedom of learning in whatever way they would like......and we ...well, HE is getting his masters and I am returning to college full time in January. I have mixed feelings about that one. And I know that the occupation, my dream occupation, could not be realized without a degree. Well, I guess I have the freedom to choose most of the classes that I want, what order they come in, and how much bloody debt I want to give to Sallie Mae!! sigh..........funny how life is.
Drums
Dancing
Cooking
& Glue
here we come!!
Peace!
Kelly
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Dec. 17, 2007 - Stumbled Upon....
Good Morning!!
As for all you Southerns & Westeners out there: I envy you!! It is a whooping 15 degrees here, my heating bill is certain to be obsence, and I am dressed, in bed, cat on my feet, with two comforters, typing!! The Poppets are on a two hour school delay (only 5 days to go for them!!) so one is still snooring, and the other is banished to the kitchen to play with Tank!!
Surfing the web is a quick thing for me.....limited time. And that time is going to get more and more limited as the new year rolls in. So alot of times if I see something yummy that I need to visit again, I add it to my favorites list and once a month take the time to visit each item....and keep it, or trash it. Today, through the Biblical Womanhood site....I was lead to her new $$$ saving blog: Money Saving Mom Fabulous ideas I tell you!! So impressed!!
After the Holiday I will quickly be looking for ideas to SIMPLIFY my little life that is filled with unschooling, college classes for myself & Beloved, 5 animals, church meetings, and a huge drafty farmhouse that needs painting!! Heaven help me. (*repeat*)
Please share your thoughts through this busyness & cookie making: I need them!!
Peace, Warmth & Blessings!
Kelly
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Dec. 13, 2007 - the Gingerbread house
Last night ........before my great recipe box clean-out........Poppet and I went to a YW activity, and she decorated a Gingerbread house. Thank goodness, because we haven't had a moment to make our family one! So tired!! All of our family: Enjoy the pics!! We miss you!!
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Dec. 13, 2007 - New Puppy
You know, I don't quite understand myself somedays.
In the midst of massive busy-ness, plans, parties, every single day off and running, gasoline costs, forgotton presents, frantic crocheting, and sleeping sparatically, my Beloved brings home the most adorable puppy ever: Tank.
Welcome home.
Welcome to endless ankle attacks, wimpering in all octaves, peeing............everywhere............"potty pads" are randomly lying everywhere in the house, the cats are in an up-roar......We CANNOT let him anywhere near the Christmas tree (he has discovered the low hanging ornaments, and they are soooo much fun!!).....can you tell I am in a state of exhaustion?? I was up last night from 1am. till 2:30 am. Tank was playing (and wimpering, barking (he thinks that is so funny!!), and chasing Simon (our kitten)) and I was organizing my recipe box. *snore*
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Dec. 6, 2007 - Fabulous "From Your Hands" gifts
Our young women in our church have a fabulous leader. A leader that is crafty. A leader that is innovative with paint pens, glitter & glue. She smiles and crys with the girls. Hugs them and understands chocolate. Last week she brought in this for the girls to make, well.... I stuck around so I could make one too!! (I wouldn't leave!! LOL) Soooo...easy. Total cost: Tile piece from Home Depot $.59 & plate stand & dry erase marker $1.25 Walmarts (she bought the dry erase markers in a huge pack, so I am guessing the cost for one little marker.)
And these yummy toe warmers......actually WE call them "Stinky Bags"!! MOM, will you warm up my stinky bag for me?? BAM!! Down the stairs it comes (our cats know these words and they immediate get a heads up look!!) Fabric, any old kind, sewn into a rectangle, fill with white rice 3-4 cups, lavender esential oil, about 10 drops, and dried lavender flowers (from garden last year!). I sew the edges twice around, fill the bag 3/4 full, then carefully fold under the edges and sew (twice) and there you have it. Make up a tag, put it in a bag, and give away!! Fabulous! And so economical for these drafty, drafty old farm homes!!
Peace & Blessings & Warm, warm Toes on this snowy eve!
Kelly
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