• Nov. 18, 2009 - Thankful, thankful, thankful
Wow, it's hard to believe that Thanksgiving is just a little over a week away! I've been trying to count my blessings each day, but I thought I'd share a few with you all today.
1. God's unconditional love
2. New mercies every day
3. A loving husband who teaches me about dedication and service every day
4. Three boys who make me laugh, care about others, and love me even when I'm not much fun.
5. Our dogs - They make the world a better place.
6. The horse and sheep and how they remind me of the blessings of friendship and sticking together.
7. The guineas and their noises which have become a great comfort. (I really miss our chickens.)
8. The blessing of being able to enjoy living in the country.
9. Deer meat in the freezer.
10. My electric mattress pad, O24, good books, and ibuprofen!
What are you all especially thankful for this week?
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• Oct. 26, 2009 - Win Some Tea Tree Oil!
My friend, Juliestew, is having a contest on her blog to give away some Tea Tree Oil from Beeyoutiful. I discovered tea tree oil a few years ago and we use it quite a bit around our house.
She's drawing a winner on Wednesday so head on over there to enter!
Also, have you ever visited the WellTellMe website that is chock full of discussions about natural alternatives and the such? I have learned quite a bit over there!
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• Oct. 20, 2009 - When Homeschool Moms Get Together
Things get a little crazy.
We start spelling things.
 "TOS"
But then we TRY to look all serious and businessy.
 This was our Apprentice pose.
I'm trying to look like I'm taking an important call.
Don't let it fool you.
We're all talking about food, how cute Susanah is,
the exciting things coming up at TOS, and our families.
 Pictured L to R - Me, Tia (HSB Senior Editor), Angela (Director of the Schoolhouse Store),
Dena (Director of Operations), Ginny (Schoolhouse Store Administrator), &
Michelle (Director of Marketing)
 "The Hills Are Alive with the Sound of Music!"
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• Sep. 2, 2009 - Free Menu Planning Ebook
• Aug. 25, 2009 - $5 Magazine Subscriptions
They've got some good ones like Country Living, Woman's Day, Field & Stream, Outdoor Life, etc... Offer ends Aug. 31
And while I can't get you THAT good of a deal on The Old Schoolhouse, I can help you SAVE $5 on a 2 year subscription! You'll be able to subscribe for 2 years for only $35 and get the 19 free gifts! Just click here and enter NCSGL5OFF at checkout.
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• Apr. 1, 2009 - A terribly important question
This week's Works for Me Wednesday is Backwards Edition so I have a question for you all. It's terribly important.
What kind of mascara do you use?
I don't mean to sound shallow, but I really need to find a good mascara. I have horribly sensitive eyes and many mascaras make my eyes itch or burn.
I use mostly Arbonne makeup because it's botanically based, but I really didn't like their mascara's applicator. It required a two-step process and I'm a one-step (if at all) kind of girl. For a while I used Neutrogena Weightless Volume Wax-Free Mascara, but even it would start stinging my eyes if I left it on too long.
Then I got a rebellious streak and thought I'd just try Maybelline's Great Lash. I figured that if it's been around a long time, then maybe it's pretty good. But oh no, that was a horrible mistake. My eyes started burning as soon as I put it on. I threw it away immediately. Brand. New. (It was that bad y'all.)
So, I went back to the mascara aisle with my tailed tucked between my legs and figured I'd just have to spend a bit more to get something that wasn't going to make me want to pluck out my eyelashes. I decided to cough up a few extra dollars and give Almay One Coat Waterproof Mascara a try.
Now, this one doesn't bother my eyes, but I have one little issue with it - You practically have to sandblast your eyelashes to get the stuff off! I've NEVER had this much trouble getting mascara off. I usually just use a bit of coconut oil to wipe away the mascara, but that wouldn't get the Almay blackish-brown off my lashes.
I decided that I'd cough up a few more bucks (and by a few, I mean $5!) and get the official Almay Hypo-Allergenic Eye Make-up Remover Pads. Even when I use those, I *still* have mascara left on my lashes. It drives me bonkers.
What's a girl to do?
I found this list of natural mascaras online, but I thought I'd see if any of you have favorite brands of mascara that you would suggest.
For more good questions and tips, see more Works for Me Wednesday at We Are THAT Family.
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• Mar. 14, 2009 - Excellence in Blogcasting Award
My dear friend Mel has recently honored me with this bloggy award. Of course, she's also recently started up a new blog so you'll want to go visit her over at Wandering Quail Road to learn more about her greeny, always be prepared, military way of life.
She has a fantastic writing style and I love her dearly for teaching me the ropes while she was leading the troops at TOS. I love her even more for being honest and real and not dumping me through many ups and downs. She's a straight-shooter and she's one of those friends that you KNOW is a real friend.
Anyway, enough of my getting all blubbery. Here's the award and the "rules" for posting it.
The rules to follow are:
1) Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person that has granted the award and his or her blog link.
2) Pass the award to another 15 blogs that are worthy of this acknowledgment. Remember to contact each of them to let them know they have been chosen for this award.
As far as the 15 blogs that I am going to award this to, I don't know many of them personally, but they are some of my favorites from my bloglines subscription and I always like to share the blogs that encourage me, challenge me, touch my heart, or brighten my day.
So without further ado: here are my 15 choices for the Excellence in Blogcasting Award!
- Suzanne McMinn at Chickens in the Road: I just love her narrative style and her ongoing adventures with her goat, Clover. I never really new that dairy goats could be such divas, but I totally get it now.
- Angie at Bring the Rain: You might know her better as Audrey Caroline's mom, but through the rain, all you'll see is God's grace workin in a real momma's life. She has really been a blessing to me.
- Mary Beth Chapman at MaryBeth: I've been a Steven Curtis Chapman fan since way back. First I loved his music. Then I really admired him. Then I heard about he & Mary Beth's heart for orphans and I loved them even more. And then, I had just discovered Steven's blog when the unthinkable happened - their sweet little Maria died. After that I closely followed their road manager, Jim Houser's blog for updates and to know how to pray. And now I'm following along with Mary Beth, as she shares her heart and hope in the midst of a full busy life while longing for her Maria. She really helps me to keep things in perspective.
- Marsha from Our Homeschool and Other Such Happenings: Marsha is a bloggy friend from WAY back. I started blogging back on May 18, 2005 and she came just two short months later on July 18,2005. HSB was just getting rolling back then, but everyone knew Marsha because of her friendly comments all over the place. Since then she has grown to be so much more. She has encouraged me time and time again with her heartfelt insights and funny stories about her boys. And she TOTALLY makes me realize that I need to take more pictures and have a way of saving them. She knows what a special gift those can be.
- Letitia from Sand Between My Toes: Ok, Letitia started her blog about a year later in March 2006, but we quickly realized that even though we are opposites in some ways (she has all girls and I have all boys), we are quite the kindred spirits! She LOVES the beach like I do, and she's great (like Marsha) about taking lots of wonderful pictures. She is a real encourager and is someone that I really do hope to meet in real life one day!
- Julie from Raising Three Knights and a Princess: Julie actually IS an in real life friend and I've loved watching her grow her love of photography via her blog. We used to be neighbors and really shared life together in each other's backyards just as she & Tripp were starting their family. Whenever I smell a Midsummer Night candle, I always think of them. I blame my love for Yankee Candles on the Worthy family.
- The Crafty Crow: I don't know her at all, but she has tons of craft ideas. Whenever I'm looking for a craft idea, I start there. Her entries are sure to brighten any day even if you aren't feeling crafty.
- Ree from Confessions of a Pioneer Woman: You've probably already heard of her. She's mighty famous, but if you love fabulous recipes, a real-life love story, and pictures of life in the country. She's your gal. Really. She gives photoshop tips, has great contests, and stuff too. She's more fun than a barrel of monkeys. Just keep clicking around on her little headers and sidebars until you find what you're looking for.
- Boomama: Her name kind of threw me off back when I was first blogging. I was afraid that I'd click on her link and she'd jump out and go "Boo!" or something! Nonetheless, I tiptoed quietly over there one day and learned that oh, sweet mercy, she's not scary at all. She's southern, and she has a little boy that she nicknamed, Boo (THAT'S why she's BooMama), and she loves her some Jesus, American Idol, and Beth Moore. And HERE is one of my very favorite BooMama posts of all times. Get ready to laugh about some hair disasters. (And if someone could send me the link to her post about waxing, I'd be forever in your debt. It can make a girl laugh no matter WHAT is going on!)
- Antique Mommy: Her name kind of explains that she was a little older than most when she was blessed beyond measure with her little guy. Her tag some sometimes sweet, sometimes tart, but always real. I love that she can weave all of it together.
- Barbara Curtis at MommyLife: I admire how she writes in such a strong journalistic style on a variety of topics. I first discovered her because of how she celebrates motherhood and embraces homeschooling (even when she isn't doing it herself) and her ability to take-on hard topics without flinching. I don't agree with her on everything, but I totally respect how she digs into her research. She's had some really good stuff on health too!
- Ray over at The Corn Blog: Now he's probably gonna say something really sarcastic about being lumped in with all these mommy bloggers, but he's one of my favorite bloggers too. He's got a quirky sense of humor, an uncanny ability to find weird news online, a daddy's heart, and the vocabulary to keep you reading. Just don't play Scrabble with him on Facebook. Unless you can beat him. In which case, please take a screen shot of the winning announcement and email it to me. Someone has to keep him humble, and I don' think it's going to be me!
- Heidi, Toby, & Lynae at Under the Pines: Heidi started with this blogging stuff quietly with her usual online stealth. Even though we are in-real-life friends, I sometimes think I've gotten to know her even better through her blog. Her recent post on her Economic Wish List is a classic. But in true Heidi fashion, she's done a great job of getting her two oldest into the blogging act and I love hearing their unique spin on things too.
- Julie at Three Fold Cord: I'm not exactly sure when we met online, but I can remember just reading through tons of her entries once I found her blog. In real life friends of mine will know her as "the one who has a dog that looks just like Mary Jane". They are a few steps ahead of us on the learning curve with sheep, horses, cows, and a garden, but she never talks like a know-it-all. I really appreciate that. There's always more to learn and I just appreciate her sharing the ups AND the downs so we can learn along with her.
- Meredith at Like Merchant Ships: Ok, this list is getting REALLY long, but I really do love Meredith's blog. She amazes me with how she keeps things simple, beautiful, and inexpensive without coming across as cheap. I really like how she shares links to other helpful resources online too. Very practical AND inspiring.
Have fun out there in Bloggyville y'all!
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• Mar. 2, 2009 - The Music on my Blog
I've had a few really nice emails lately about the music on my blog being a blessing to someone so I thought I'd share how it works with those of you that are new to blogging.
First of all, you can find my music player in my right sidebar just above the Homeschooling the High Schooler ebook.
I have six songs on my playlist. I picked each of them because they have been such a blessing to me. You can click on the titles and select the different songs.
- Will You Love Jesus More? by Phillips, Craig, & Dean
- You Raise Me Up by Selah
- Who Am I? by Casting Crowns
- The Heart of Worship by Matt Redman
- You Are God Alone by Phillips, Craig, & Dean
- Word of God Speak by Mercy Me
The whole reason that I have music on my blog is because I used to love the music on a blog over at Homesteadblogger (Sorry, I don't remember whose it was.) and I would go to her page just to listen to the music. It was a balm to my soul so I figured that music might be a blessing to some readers here too.
If you want your own music playlist, just click on the Create Your Free Playlist button under my music player. It will take you a few minutes because you'll need to create your own account and pick songs, but it's totally free and pretty simple.
Mainly though, I just want to let you know that God can use even the smallest little bloggy details. I know you can start to wonder if blogging is worth your time sometimes when you aren't getting comments or things just begin to feel a little blah. But you might be surprised at what is a blessing to people who stop by your blog - even if they don't take time to comment or email you. (I know that I read A LOT of blogs, but don't comment often enough.)
I'm constantly telling my friends in real life about things I've read on other people's blogs. What you are writing does make a difference - whether it's family stories, homeschool tips, photos, money-saving ideas, recipes, crafts, encouragement, or an eclectic mix. And I'll try to do a better job of commenting and posting some of my favorite links!
Y'all have a great week!
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• Jan. 3, 2009 - I am Doris Day
I saw this Female Icon Quiz on someone else's blog and decided to check it out.
You know how some quizes take forever and a day to take? Not this one, there are only 2 questions on this one so I figured I'd check it out.
I was pretty surprised how accurate the results were. I turned out to be one of my favorite old-timey movie stars - Doris Day!
Here's what the results had to say about Doris Day:
You are a Doris -- "I must help others."
Dorises are warm, concerned, nurturing, and sensitive to other people's needs. (Such a kind way of saying one-step-away-from-codependent. Just kidding.)
How to Get Along with Me
- * Tell me that you appreciate me. Be specific.(Otherwise I'll just think you're tolerating me because you're nice.) (And really, you could leave me a bloggy comment. If you want. But I don't want to be pushy or anything.)
- * Share fun times with me. (I can be fun. Really I can.)
- * Take an interest in my problems, though I will probably try to focus on yours. (Actually I'll feel like you don't really care about me if you don't share your problems with me as well. That just doesn't feel right to me.)
- * Let me know that I am important and special to you. (Man, I sound kinda needy, huh?)
- * Be gentle if you decide to criticize me. (Does anyone really LIKE to be hit with a sledgehammer?)
In Intimate Relationships - Tony, this part's for you!
- * Reassure me that I am interesting to you.
- * Reassure me often that you love me.
- * Tell me I'm attractive and that you're glad to be seen with me.
What I Like About Being a Doris
- * being able to relate easily to people and to make friends ( I'd be a rotten lone wolf.)
- * knowing what people need and being able to make their lives better (Yea, that kinda makes me happy)
- * being generous, caring, and warm (Just ignore the PMS days though, k?)
- * being sensitive to and perceptive about others' feelings (Ding, ding! That's why quiet people make me a little nervous.)
- * being enthusiastic and fun-loving, and having a good sense of humor (Well living here on the funny farm, that's pretty much a requirement.)
What's Hard About Being a Doris
- * not being able to say no (It's taken me years, but I can TOTALLY say No now when needed!)
- * having low self-esteem (Well ummm, let's get back to talking about YOU.)
- * feeling drained from overdoing for others (Not so much anymore. Really the whole saying No thing helped.)
- * not doing things I really like to do for myself for fear of being selfish (OK that could be true. I've secretly wanted to get a pedicure for years, but just talk myself out of it ALL the time.)
- * criticizing myself for not feeling as loving as I think I should (Well I do spend a lot of time wishing I could do more for others. The fibro, it, has slowed my "doing" WAY down.)
- * being upset that others don't tune in to me as much as I tune in to them (Go figure. Perhaps that's why they're actually getting things done rather than just sitting around thinking.)
- * working so hard to be tactful and considerate that I suppress my real feelings (I do try to choose my words pretty carefully, but God and I hash all kinds of stuff out just between the two of us.)
Dorises as Children Often
- * are very sensitive to disapproval and criticism (Truer words may never have been spoken.)
- * try hard to please their parents by being helpful and understanding (Oh yes, the people-pleasing started early.)
- * are outwardly compliant (Hi, my name is Nancy. I love rules.)
- * are popular or try to be popular with other children (Note it says try. Again with the people-pleasing.)
- * act coy, precocious, or dramatic in order to get attention (Insert tumultuous junior high years here.)
- * are clowns and jokers (the more extroverted Dorises), or quiet and shy (the more introverted Dorises) (I actually think I've been both.)
Dorises as Parents
- * are good listeners, love their children unconditionally, and are warm and encouraging (or suffer guilt if they aren't) (Thanks hold your applause and the Mother of the Year awards.)
- * are often playful with their children (Well the quiz couldn't be right ALL of the time could it? I think I'm more like a stick-in-the-mud.)
- * wonder: "Am I doing it right?" "Am I giving enough?" "Have I caused irreparable damage?" (Or am I a stick in the mud? What if I didn't play with the boys enough?! Ack!)
- * can become fiercely protective (Oh yes, sensitive and nurturing goes out the window if someone goes after one of my boys!)
OK, it's your turn now. Let me know which female icon you are and if your results are on-target! Because I care, really. Ha!
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• Dec. 31, 2008 - My Bloggy 2008 Year in Review
It's so hard to believe that another year is coming to a close. Even though I haven't blogged as much as I would like this year, I do love being able to go back and read my old entries. It definitely makes for a nice online journal anyway.
So without further ado, here are some highlights from 2008.
January: A few of my rare organizing tips - Note to self: make sure I update that notebook
February: The most important Super Bowl of my life - Wow, that makes this year my 25th Christian birthday.
March: What About Baab? - My first little lamb. He's bigger now, but still so much fun.
April: Wildlife Lessons on the Farm - Gotta love the deer camera
May: A Hodge Podge of Memories - Wow, that was a busy month!
June: Some girls like flowers - This little hen was so much fun.
July: Our trip to Durango - The trip of a lifetime. Such great memories.
August: Farm Style Drive In - I had to return the projector for work, but it sure was fun while it lasted!
September: The post in which I actually talk about homeschooling - Wow, I needed to reread this.
October: Some things take time - Who knew a game of golf could mean so much?
November: Thanksgiving beyond measure - And my brother just called me on my birthday. For the first time- EVER!
December: I think it's the quiet - Now, to just enjoy that same quiet each day!
So here's to 2009. No matter what it holds, I'm so thankful to know the One who holds it all in His hands and blesses us beyond measure!
Happy New Year Everyone!
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21
P.S. - I'd love to know what entries are your favorites. Do you like the pictures of the animals and their stories. Do you like it when I ummm, actually talk about homeschooling? Do you like more of the spiritual stuff? Or do you just enjoy the day-to-day happenings? Is there anything you'd like for me to write more about? This is a great way for me to journal, but I also like to know what you all like. Hint. Hint. Leave me a comment. Hint. Hint.
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