Fun with Self!

Oh hey -- I can see myself in here.

Look at these!!



Na na na na naaah!

YEAH!!!

Very Interesting

HA!

I took a quiz today -- and I thought I would know exactly how I would end up. Little do I know.

Here is some back ground. I was raised a Nazarene (Holiness/Wesleyan), and became a Baptist around 10 years ago. Now am attending a fundamental Baptist church with my family. I just told my pastor -- I'm learning new things all the time. I still feel like a new Christian. I am not bored with reading my Bible (that doesn't mean I'm super REGULAR...). I still feel like I've got that new love.

Here is how I scored.

What's your theological worldview? created with QuizFarm.com

You scored as Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan You are an evangelical in the Wesleyan tradition. You believe that God's grace enables you to choose to believe in him, even though you yourself are totally depraved. The gift of the Holy Spirit gives you assurance of your salvation, and he also enables you to live the life of obedience to which God has called us. You are influenced heavily by John Wesley and the Methodists. Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan 86% Fundamentalist 75% Reformed Evangelical 61% Neo orthodox 57% Charismatic/Pentecostal 43% Classical Liberal 32% Emergent/Postmodern 21% Modern Liberal 14% Roman Catholic 4%

I wonder where that 4% Roman Catholic part came in? Hmm... and I'm shocked at the 14% Modern liberal. ::gasp:: But look at this -- Classic Liberal 32%... those must have been some of the questions I didn't know the answer to -- so I guessed. LOL!! I thought I was a died in the wool super conservative type gal. Shows how much I know.

So -- what are you? (I really want to know how my Dad scores on this test!) °Ü°

It's A New Blog!!

We've got exciting news.

We've got a new blog at our house.

Tori has entered the realm of blogging.


She has already blogged her first entry.

It'll knock your socks off.... I'm telling ya!!

(You know - she would LOVE to have some comments when she goes to check it next time around.)

I'm not sure if she will be a frequent blogger... she'll have to earn that privilege ya know... BUT -- she already LUVS it -- setting it up... checking out who has the same interests as her. Picking a name for her blog. Choosing a password. Very funny to watch that thought process.

Any way -- Horse Around with Tori -- will ya? It would MAKE HER DAY!!

_________________________________________________

Just one more thing --

My sister is coming to visit me in 7 days.

Ya Hoooooo!!!

Yippee...

~~Skiddle Dee Dee~~

I'm very excited about that deal!

Just 7 more days.

Hooray.

She's bringing her babies too!! (See me jump for joy!!)

_____________________________________________________

One more thing --

I'm done with Christmas Decorating.

Now -- only 24 more days until Christmas.

One kiddo yesterday said, "Do we get to open presents today?"

::sigh:: Only 24 more days until Christmas.

LOL

Oh -- I'm just kidding... they'll get used to it pretty soon.
(Then we'll take it down!)
°Ü°

Free Bee!!

I think that's supposed to read Freebie. °Ü°

How ever you spell it -- my friend Jenn is doing it!! She is having a contest!!

Her blogs are Blessed Mama Creations and lil'characters.

She is offering a personalized/photo gift to a winner!!

You could win

* a personalized/photo bib
* a set of personalized/photo button earrings
* a personalized/photo button necklace
* a personalized/photo ornament
* a personalized/photo mousepad
* a personalized/photo italian charm
* a personalized/photo car sign

I'm thinking some of those might be kind of F.U.N. to win!!

Go enter!! She does great work!! You'll be glad you did.

I'm going to sticky this until Saturday -- when the contest is over. So get on over there!! You'll be glad you did!

My Husband and his Hair Dryer

Dan: "I"m going up onto the roof... where is the hair dyer?"

Me: Sitting up straight, from a sound nap, "WHAAAT?"

We are in the midst of an ice storm here in Southern Iowa. We are also in the midst of conference championship day of college football. Oh my -- what a mix.

Sometimes... when there are storms, rain, wind, snow, ice... whatever... sometimes our satellite goes on the blink. Today -- is was blinking... and when my husband stresses -- he starts blinking. Boy were his eyelids going today.

Dan: "Do you think if I called Perry and asked to watch the game at his house, that would be inviting myself over?"

Me: "Um... yeah."

So what does his hair dyer have to do with this?

He was getting so desperate that he was going to put a metal ladder up onto the side of a house (covered in ice), and climb said ladder with a hair dryer in one hand, (plugged into an extension cord), to give that satellite a new hair do -- or at least to melt the ice -- which ever came first.

Dan: "I'll take my cell phone up there and call you to see if the picture comes in."

Me: "Um... OK."

Yeah -- riiiight. I think when God heard that he said, "Oh Dan... Dan, Dan, Dan... let me help you brother."

BLINK -- here came the satellite back on. (Just as Dan was about to step out onto our ice covered porch).

I don't know if I've ever seen Dan run to his "strategically arranged in his surround sound system triangle" recliner so fast. He's been there ever since. LSU vs. Tennessee, MO vs. OK next, as well as UCLA vs. USC.... all kinds of games on.

Now he's blissing -- not blinking!!

Starting Today

NO SCHOOL!!!

No piano lessons.

No school books.

No nothing!!

Well -- not nothing... we will still practice the piano. We will still be reading our library books.

But it is like a summer break for us. We don't take 3 months off during the summer -- we take off ALL of December, ALL of April, and ALL of August. 3 months off -- just spread out.

So -- this is our first month off for the 2007-2008 school year.

I don't like to totally slack of though. I have an OLD book of CHRISTMAS CLASSICS that I read from last year. That was F.U.N. We listen to Living Books for the Ears. They normally have Christmas Classics each week of December.

This year -- I plan on adding something new. One of my pet peeves is when preachers say, "You all know the story of...blah, blah, blah." Well -- that's not always the case. Sometimes new believers are in attendance and one can not just absorb all the stories in the Bible. One has to read to be familiar with what is in there. So -- my kids and I are going to READ the New Testament so they WILL be familiar and never be in the place where they don't know because of lack of reading. I'd love for this to become a habit when we are off school. Turn on the New Testament! I found a bible reading plan through the New Testament in the next 30 days.

So here we go!!

Let the Fun Begin!!

Good News

Oh -- I am thrilled!! I just got news from my Dad. I thought we were going to have to wait 200 days to see them -- WELL... he is going to preach at a revival at Des Moines Eastside, March 27-30, 2008. That's not to far from us. They won't get to stay here -- but we could go there...for a service... or 2.

Woo Hoo!!

I'm so excited.

I just can't hide it.

(I don't know the rest of the words to that song... maybe a good thing).

So lets see -- that makes only 118 days until we get to see them. Remembering that extra day, because 2008 is a leap year.

I'm assuming he'll bring my mom along. ::giggle:: Maybe we can do lunch. ;)

Better go adjust my paper chain.

°Ü°

Baby Mia

This is Baby Mia.

She is new... new to us. Well -- new to my friends.

Isn't she pretty??

She comes to us from China. Oh how long I remember my friends Todd and Chris talking about Mia. Now they have 5 girls. It was so fun to see Mia with her new mommy.

Grandma is enjoying Mia! We got to shower baby Mia with gifts at a baby shower.

Funny side note -- I asked Dani if she had fun... Mia has an older sister. She is 2 weeks older than Dani. Dani loves Lily! She loves to say her name. Lily! Lily, Lily, Lily!!

Anyway -- she said, "YES!" Oh... I just remembered I told you this already. She had so much fun she "missed the baby taking a shower. " Oh me... too funny... sorry you had to hear it again. I'm still laughing about it! Ü This photo was taken right after Lily stuck her finger in the frosting. She was right... that frosting WAS too good to refuse. I had 2 pieces of that cake... just for the frosting. ;D

My dear daughter, Tori, was a good sport and dawned a blind fold, then proceeded to diaper a dolly with a cloth diaper -- pins and all. OUCH... no really... Tori did really well. Not as well as I did... but you know... good for a 12 year old! I got beat out by my friend Lori. She's probably diapered more than I have with cloth. I only used them for 1 1/2 babies. Dani is the 1/2 baby... cloth gave her a rash. Doesn't that sound backwards? Anyway...

What fun baby showers are... WELCOME MIA!! You can read her story here. Todd and Chris have blogged about their adventure. My favorite photo?? Baby Mia and her friends on the Red Couch.

Wrestling in Waukee

We got to go to a Pee Wee Wrestling Tournament in Waukee, IA, on Saturday. It was a tournament for beginners only. That is a neat idea. If you had wrestled in more than 10 matches, or 3 tournaments, you were not eligible. Milo is a beginner. Yep he is.... still is. LOL In fact -- he may just not be cut out to be a wrestler, but that is yet to be seen. He really likes to practice. He and his brother drag his dad out to practice twice a week. And to tournaments often on the week-ends.

This week-end Mansel got to be his warm up partner. Mansel loves wrestling. He is already asking about his first tournament. When can he wrestle? Huh? Huh? Huh??

Tori really enjoys wrestling tournaments. This is when she gets caught up on her free reading pile. A horse book of course.

Milo is a bundle of nerves here. I'm so glad he didn't wet himself. Those singlets just don't hide much... it would have been sort of obvious. He did fine. He came in 4th place (out of 4)... but he did FINE! Ü

Here is Wayne -- ever his supportive self. Actually -- he really was helping... helping me enjoy myself. He got cranky for just a bit, then fell asleep in my arms. Ahhh... slobbered a little on my arm, so I decided to lay him down on our coats. Isn't he a doll?? It may have been a result of us waking up at 5:30 a.m. It was nap time!!



I asked Milo what his favorite part of the day was... He replied, "You know Mom... the medal." Oh he is funny!! They don't care that they came in last place... oops... I mean 4th place. He gets a MEDAL!!! Cool. Ü Plus we made new friends this week-end. I'm going to send a mom a DVD of her son pinning my son. HA HA!! No really -- I am. It's all fun. Plus -- it was a beginners tournament... it was his FIRST EVER pin! Gotta have a memory of that!! Maybe some day another mom will do me a favor like that. When that happens... you bet I'll blog about it!!

You know what's fun about pee wee wrestling? In 10 or 11 years... we'll be seeing these kids at the Iowa High school State Wrestling Tournament. Now that will be FUN!
Here is an example

Noelle

Noelle -- a new movie coming out December 7th.

I've heard through the grapevine that Noelle put out by an Amblesider Kerry Wall and family. How cool is that? Wikipedia says Kerry is married to David who produced Noelle and plays the main character Father Jonathan Keene.

Cindy at Dominion Family reminds us that "seeing movies on their opening weekends is a huge boost for the filmmaker so mark Dec 7 on your calendars."

Another good option from Hollywood -- we'd better step up to the plate and let them know we appreciate it! I smell another date coming up. LOL!! "Hey Daaaan!" ;D

Another Favorite Blog (or two)

I was reading through some blogs today -- and I found the one of the blogs I read regularly, is really inspiring. I can't believe all the hard work she does and it makes me want to get up off my toosh and DO SOMETHING!!!

She seems to make everything she does look beautiful -- even her chicken coop. LOL

She is a precious lady in real life -- so as you read her blog -- imagine her "voice" to be sweet and beautiful! Her kids are adorable too... :D

The Beginning Farmer's Wife. Check it out!!

Her husband has a blog too -- although I'm not a regular reader -- your dear husbands might enjoy it. LOL He has a good post about the movie King Corn! (Which I had never heard of until I read his blog - Thanks Ethan). The director of the movie even goes there to comment on it on his little old blog! Wow -- impressive Mr. Beginning Farmer! The Beginning Farmer (they have coordinating blogs -- how cute!!) °Ü°

The Dinner

My mother knows me. She knows that my "luuuuv language" is gift giving -- or receiving... which ever. So -- she brought me this beautimus center piece for my Thanksgiving Dinner Table. I added in the oranges (pierced with cloves). Hmmm... it smelled delicious! Now -- to figure out how to store that beautifmus center piece intact for next year!

Here is the entire long table. There were 10 of us seated - and one high chaired. Like the red table cloth? Yep -- it's the only one I have that fits. Why am I not going to buy a new one? Because I KNOW I have an actual Thanksgiving Table cloth -- farm animals and all... somewhere. I'll find it -- as soon as I purchase a new one. So I'm not buying a new one -- but I'll keep on looking for the missing Thanksgiving one... that fits the long table. Notice there are no spoons. No one to blame but myself... I'm the one who set the table. Didn't notice until all the food had been served and some one needed one to eat... since they can't eat with forks with out stabbing themselves. (One of my children) I should have looked at this photo before eating, I guess. I noticed it right off today. LOL



Here we all are... why do we look like we are laughing? Because my camera can be set up to take several photos on my "self-timer" setting. I think this was photo #5... we were laughing -- when will it ever quit?? Finally my mom poked her head around George's head, and I think this is one where EVERYONE is in... if not totally -- but just barely. See 1/6 of Wayne, and about 1/8 of Dan. Mom's one eye. All of George, Mansel, Tori, Me, Dani, Milo, and my Dad.
That was before eating began, our meat is still under foil.

Fun was had by all -- just don't look at my curtains... why was that one all bunched up?? Some one was messing with it I think... Oh well -- now you know I'm real. You do know that if you are looking at this blog at blogger -- you can click on the photos to see the larger version. You can see my teeth -- since I'm laughing instead of smiling... I know -- I'm trying to work on that.

2007 Thanksgiving!

Don't you wish you were here?? We had so much fun. Well -- some of us did. Some of us were sick, and probably just wanted to crawl under a rock. But you know what? Just being in their company -- I had a great time.

I love my parents.

I overheard my mother saying that we probably wouldn't want them to ever live with us -- it would disrupt our rountine -- we'd have to give up too much. But you know what?? (I said that already)... but who cares??? YOU KNOW WHAT?? I think I would really enjoy my dad and mom living with us. My kids LOVE them. I really enjoy the godly conversation. I love how they speak to me, and of me. I cherish any time I get to spend with them.

So -- I'm looking forward to June 2008. The next time I get to see them. Only about 200 more days. I think I'll go make a paper chain...

I Have Arrived

My Peculiar Aristocratic Title is: Marchioness Jennifer the Querulous of Lower Beanthrop in the Hedge Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

Look it there -- I have a title!

What's yours?

I found this at Dawn's Site, A New Day. She was moaning about no friends the other day. HEY -- that sounded familiar. Go check HER out!! She really is a funny gal.

Happy Thanksgiving

Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts
Praise Father Son and Holy Ghost
Amen!

Today my parents are here -- we are going to have dinner at 2:00. My dad is going to pick up a friend and his daughter, so we will have guests. I don't know them, but am looking forward to meeting 2 new people today.

I've got my list ready --
Turkey into the oven at 9:45 a.m. (I'd better get a move on!)
Rolls - store bought
Lettuce Salad
Sweet Potatoes - got my recipe printed
Mashed Potatoes - going to add real butter YUM!
Corn - going into the slow cooker
Pickles - chilled already
Stuffing- must I? ugh...
I've even written down the extras so I won't forget them.
Water-chilled
Sweet tea-chilled
Salad Dressing
Butter-softened
Gravy

Pie and Ice cream for dessert. Got my pies from COSTCO this year. Woo Hoo!

I'm going to use the slow cooker for corn and probably my smoky links. I'm going to set the little wieners out on the counter so people can snack on them before dinner -- we are going to have a cold cereal breakfast, then not eat until 2:00... so some of my kiddos will be begging for snacks... around noon I'll let them eats the sausages.

It snowed here last night. So it is beautiful outside! I'd love to be able to get a family photo outside. We'll see about that.

I've already stoked the fire -- so we are nice an toasty in here.

I praise God for a nation that still stops and gives thanks for all the many blessings He has bestowed upon us!
I praise God for a dear husband that provides so well for his family. Lovingly giving and giving! Yesterday he scooped manure on my garden, so I can get out there this spring and play in the dirt and have it be more productive this time around. Thank you DAN!
I thank God for my wonderful children. They are so fun to be around. They are really cherishing their time with Grandma and Popop (as Wayne calls them both).
I praise God for my parents -- they have spent so much time and effort raising me -- I pray I can repay then even the slightest bit by raising my kiddos to love and honor them. Where would I be with out my godly parents? Heavens only knows.

I pray you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

May God bless You Mightly today!

Living Windows

Recently the girls and I, oh, and the baby, went to the Living Windows Display uptown. I brought along my camera. I decided to play around with it a bit... it's still new to me ya know... so I did a little experimenting. I took all of these photos with the color accent feature, using the color red. I chose the color red from a bright red truck parked up town -- it looked like the Christmas Red.

You can always tell Christmas is getting close when you can hear the Salvation Arm bells a ringing! Tis the Season! What a smart man -- he has a hat on AND ear warmers...

The theme was Christmas and Nursery Rhymes. This is a photo of the little old lady who lived in a shoe, with so many children, she didn't know what to do... I was protesting -- she doesn't look like an old lady... in fact... she appears to be about my age... HEY! OK -- so the photo isn't so great... but if you could see my kiddos faces... they were probably this shade of red, because they were so embarrassed that I was protesting so loudly that there was NOT an old lady in that there window... but a young, lithe, fresh looking lady in there. She was NOT old! Got that?

This window was cute -- creative -- 3 little kittens, who lost their mittens... Using live kittens, well cats really, and there were only 2, but you know... it was C.U.T.E.! Better then the other store who chose the same theme, and used 2 teen agers with cat ears on -- and there were only 2... and they weren't little, and well, not so cute -- that window was sort of lame. But this one -- should have won a prize.

And the entire evening was to be wrapped up with Santa coming to the Town Square Gazeebo. Woo Hoo -- we heard him riding in on his sleigh... no wait.. his FIRE TRUCK? Yep -- my kiddos were so scared of the sirens they didn't care who was in the truck. We weren't getting any where near that Santa. So we just looked at this one.

Good enough for us!

Merry Christmas!!

HOT DOG PILLOWCASE

We got to make Pillowcases with our Home School Co-Op. Fun was had by all. I thought since I had these instructions typed up -- I might as well share... BECAUSE -- these would make AWESOME Christmas Gifts. Very doable!!

I have even taken photos of us sewing some pillowcases... so I can tell and show at the same time!!

Enjoy!




*******************************************

DESIGNER Hot Dog PILLOWCASE

The “roll-sew-pull” method of construction, which dramatically reveals a perfect finished edge, is the MAGIC in this project.

*******************************************

STEP 1
Cut your fabric into the following sizes.

Piece A = pillow case cuff, should be 9” x 42”.

Piece B = pillow case trim, should be 2 ½ ” x 42”

Piece C = pillow case body, should be 27” x 42” (or 37” x 42 for a king size)

*******************************************

STEP 2
Take piece B to the ironing board and iron it, press wrong sides together, lengthwise. It should now be 1 ¼ ” x 42”.

Place piece A, right side up, on the table. This is the HOT DOG BUN.

Place piece B on top of piece A, matching the top raw edges.

Place piece C, right side down, matching top raw edges with piece A and piece B. PIN them together.



Roll piece C toward the top, until you see about 1/3 of piece A. (The right side of the material will be facing you). This is the HOT DOG.


HINT: don't poke your finger with a pin -- cause it hurts!


Bring the bottom 1/3 of the piece A and match it to the raw edges. You now have 5 raw edges matched and should pin them. (The wrong side of piece A will now be facing up. )





Stitch a seam, sewing along the pinned edges, backstitching at both ends. Pull the pins out as you sew, before you sew over them, to avoid breaking a needle. Take care not to sew the pillowcase roll into the seam. Seams may be trimmed after sewing.

*******************************************

STEP 3
Reach into the sewn tube and pull out piece C. This is magic of the HOT DOG method!



Press to make your edges crisp, beginning on the wrong side. Pressing is an important part of sewing to shape and set the stitches. Press after stitching each seam. You will be able to stitch the next step smoothly and evenly, and your article will have a more professional look..

Trim off selvage edge and even up the long edges. (Selvage edges can shrink and cause your pillow case to pucker).

*******************************************

STEP 4
With the WRONG SIDE together, fold the pillow case in half matching the long raw edges.

You will sew the edges with a French Seam. Beginning at the TOP of the pillow case, stitch a 5/8” seam. A French seam is stronger and has a more clean look, preventing fraying. Leave your needle in the fabric at the corner, lift your presser foot and turn material, lower presser foot and keep on sewing along the bottom -- makes a nice corner.



Trim the seam to 1/8”.

Turn the pillowcase to right sides together and press again along the edge of fold.

Beginning at TOP of pillowcase, stitch 5/8” from fold.

Turn the corner and sew the bottom edge seam with a 5/8” seam allowance.

Turn, right side out again. Press the seam and give the pillowcase a final press.


Repeat until you are all done with your Christmas Sewing!!



My folks have arrived. Hooray -- the Grandparents are In the Building!!! While the men are at home playing with fire -- more about that later -- the girls and I are headed to the fabric store to buy some goodies today. We will be making these today. If you make some -- I wish you'd share some pics with me! I'd love to see them.

I've put a button at the bottom of the post which you can use to get a printer friendly PDF of this post.  This is my most looked at post by far.  I pray you enjoy making your pillow cases!  °Ü°

10 Mistakes I've Made

HA!!

You thought I was going to list MY 10 mistakes. Yeah riiiiight! I'm too full of pride for THAT. ;)

BUT -- I'm going to send you to a lady who is humble, and wise, and full of advice. Cindy at Dominion Family has written a great post on her blog. She is an older mom, giving advice to younger moms -- not because she knows it all -- but because someone has asked her to. She has some very good stuff over there.

Take your bag along with you when you read -- do some gleaning -- fill you bag... she is like Boaz, she leaves a lot on the ground for you to pick up! But you got to be willing to put it in your bag.

Of course -- I'm adding her to my list of favorite blogs too.

Tag - You Are It!

I had a post all ready to go this morning, ya know... waiting in the wings... but I got TAGGED!!

::gasp:: I thought I said I wasn't playing tag. But -- well -- I like Melissa. tee hee... so I'll play. I want to be her friend -- and as you can remember from an earlier post -- I am desperate for friends. SNORT!

Melissa tagged me. Her's was so insightful, it inspired me.

So - here goes.

8 THINGS YOU DO NOT KNOW ABOUT ME.
(This is so easy, because you can not see me)

1. I can smell my cinnamon room smelly plug in thing right now, and it smells good.

2. I went to a baby shower yesterday day -- on the way home -- I asked Danielle if she had fun. She said, "Oh Yes -- so much fun I missed the baby taking a shower." What a funny idea that would be! LOL

3. My Kitchen Aid stripped a gear yesterday. (Now I'm praying HARD for that Bosch).

4. I have 2 guests coming for Thanksgiving. It might be a slow week. Some years we have 3 guest, every other year we have 6. My dad might invite a friend.

5. I really love Peanut Butter M&M's (oops... some people know that about me already). This is harder than I thought, becuase I'm so transparent. (that's a better description than chatty!!)

6. I refuse to shave my dear husband's head. It's either a real hair style - or he has to do it himself.

7. I can't wait to get MY hair cut in January. It's been a whole year of growing out... I decided I don't like my hair grown out. I'm budgeting for a hair cut every 3 months in 2008!!

8. I've got a sore up my nose... hurts like SOME'PIN FIERCE!!

There ya go! Aren't you glad you stopped by my blog today. I don't know how you would have made it through you day with out knowing all that stuff.

Now TAG -- you are it!! If you read this -- then you are tagged -- and I'd appreciate it if you left a link in the comments section, telling me where to go to read your post!! I NEED to know 8 new things about YOU!

°Ü°

Why I LUV Thanksgiving

I bet you are thinking I'm going to get all gushy and mushy and say all the things I'm thankful for.

Well -- I'll just be honest with you -- one of my most favorite things about Thanksgiving?

Ready??

Getting ready for COMPANY!!

Look at this buffet...



What do you see there?? I'll just tell you -- NO CLUTTER!!

And here... on the side board...



Dust -- it's gone... vanished... poof... Hooray!!


And the FRIDGE???



Can you believe all the room??!!??

Of course -- it'll be full to overflowing in a few days. But HEY -- it's CLEAN!!!

°Ü°

My mother always says... "Don't even think about cleaning... just leave it!"

Who is she kidding!!! That's what I love about company -- the cleaning -- My house WILL be clean ONCE A YEAR!!

Now -- I'm off to go tackle the upstairs. My word -- it took me hours to just do that little bit.

Oh and the classroom -- I almost forgot... take a look at this...



Of course -- that no longer looks like that -- because you know... well... I've got 5 kids, and one of them got got untied yesterday... so ... Well -- it was nice while it lasted! :p

Found Some New Friends

Have you ever been the new girl? I have... I am, I mean.

Here -- come here... I'd like to introduce you to my new friends.

HA! They aren't my friends... but you know -- I like what I see... so I'm calling them my friends, then they awkwardly look at each other, then at me, then at you and smile really big and shake your hand, and laugh, and say, "Oh that Jennifer, she is so sweet, isn't she?" and really they are asking -- is she sweet?? But wanting it to sound like, "She is so sweet!" but just in case I'm not sweet, they can say, "well -- we were asking, and not saying." You know... that sort of deal.

Any who...

I'd like you to meet BooMama and tired supergirl. They are so cute, and funny, and they love Jesus! I've had a really good time getting to know them. Of course I've left obnoxious comments over there -- you should go see if you can spot them. HA! Oh wait... this is not about me. They are so good, I think I'm going to add them to my "favorite blog" roll over there on the side.

My favorite topic so far? The Sparkly Will Of God. There is such a thing you know. As they mentioned... diamonds, warm tropical water, glittery snow... all things created by God, all things sparkly.

H.E.L.L.O!! I've found my new way. I think I'll just pray and fast about this a bit... Lord -- show me your sparkly way! LOL I'll make up my Christmas List after that fasting stint. It ought to be good and sparkly!

Oh me... I'm sure glad God has a sense of humor! He must -- since he created me, and BooMama and tired supergirl! We love to laugh. (That's my subtle way of putting me in their group... think they will notice? Just laugh along...) Ah ha ha ha haaaaa...

Well -- I hope you enjoy my new found friends as much as I have. But hey -- don't leave.. Hey -- don't forget me....

HEY!!! I'm the one who introduced you all... fine... go -- I'll be here when you get tired of them. Because I'M YOUR REAL FRIEND!! °Ü°

BAM * POW @ KAPLU-EY ! SLURP?

I was in the den, and could hear Wayne, in the kitchen... cheeeuw - cheeeeuw...

He was shooting away. Totally into his play.

He rounded the corner, and I looked up and BAM... I'd been shot...



...with a breast pump - turned pistol - by a 2yo boy.



HA! Nature vs. nuture. Bring it on. LOL

::Just where did he find that pump? Good grief... we are trying to clean up this place!::

Monkey See Monkey Do

Monkey See Monkey Do, originally uploaded by ~*~ Jennifer ~*~.

Like father - Like son. Dan can be seen here doing his stretches for his plantar something or other (how ever you spell it -- it's painful).

Wayne loves his Daddy. Can you tell -- he wants to be like him so much.

When Dan comes home from work, if Wayne is not napping -- he'll always have a gloriously enthusiastic welcome home!

When Wayne wakes up in the morning -- one of his first questions usually is, "Where Daddy." Then I say at work, then he'll say, "Oh yeah!", and grin.

My son chooses his role models well.

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A Trip to the Large Animal Vet Clinic

Mr. Studly in all his glory, originally uploaded by ~*~ Jennifer ~*~.

I'm a part of a home school co-op. I have the opportunity this year to teach a class on Horses. OK -- now stop your laughing. I know -- it's funny... but not that funny.

How can I teach a class on horses? Lets just say -- there is a LOT of homework. ;) I'd actually call myself the leader of discussion, truth be told. They get 2 weeks to do a homework assignment, then in our 1 hour class... we "NOTEBOOK" it.

Well -- this week, our class time was taken up by a field trip. I arranged for the girls to visit the local Large Animal Vet Clinic. When I called, I asked if they could find a time for us to come visit and talk to the vet about horses. The receptionist said, "Oh -- we are going to perform surgery on a horse on Friday." Great! COOL! The girls would LUV that!! How awesome.

At the end of the conversation -- after all the arrangements were made -- after it was final that we were coming -- just as we were about to conclude -- finish up -- kaput -- ... she said, "Ok -- the castration will be at 4:00..."

I quit listening.

I had to giggle...

CASTRATION!!??!!

Started listening again -- "OK -- fine, we'll be there with bells on. THANK YOU!"

Oh me...

When I told my dear husband what we had planned, he said, "Can't you reschedule? Isn't there something else? You are taking GIRLS to a... THAT??" He couldn't say the word.

Well -- I called a trusted friend, "Do you think it will be OK? Can I take girls to this? Pure, innocent, young, girls? Would you?"

SURE she said. So -- we proceeded.

I e-mailed the parents -- made sure they would know the nature of the visit... all got the go ahead but one. That girl was a bit squeamish about any sort of surgery on animals... so she stayed back to help her mother with the pre-school group of kiddos. So very gracious of her.

Onward and forward!

We arrive at the Large Animal Vet Clinic and open the door and are greeted with a most obnoxious smell of disinfectant. The receptionist stares at me like a deer caught in the head lights. She's mopping. I look down -- ohh... the floor is covered in Large Animal Dirt and Blood, apparently. Um... "Do you want us to wait outside?"

YES!

OK -- we'll wait. I turn around to tell the girls to wait -- and one is already a pasty white color. She has her nose buried in her coat. That's fine -- cover your nose... just wait outside until the smell is dissipated and the Large Animal Dirt and Blood is off the floor.

We wait.

Then the door opens again -- HELLO!! There is someone -- covered in Large Animal Dirt and Blood -- greeting us. I think I gingerly waved... I don't recall. We all troop inside -- the smell is a tad bit better... but the floor is now smeared... just a quick clean up job -- she probably just mopped up the chunks. Never mind... it's o.k. We'll get used to it.

The girls and I had re-hearsed ahead of time some questions to ask the Large Animal Veterinarian. I actually wasn't sure if the young girl sitting in front of us was the Vet or not. She was very -- YOUNG! Cute... young... and covered in Large Animal Dirt and Blood. Well -- her face was clean... that was good -- just look her in the eye! She was the vet after all and very good at what she did that day.

The girls did GREAT. They asked and asked and asked questions. Their homework for the next session was to write a paper about what they learned at the Large Animal Vet Clinic. So they were grilling that Vet. She said, "Wow -- I didn't know there was going to be a quiz." I was very proud of the -- we have a tendency to be shy in strange places -- group of girls. We got to talk about horses teeth, vaccines, favorite animals, least favorite animals, why she became a vet, where she went to school, how long she want to school, what constitutes a large animal (horses, cows, pigs, goats, sheep in these parts)... lots of things. There wasn't' a question these girls asked that the vet couldn't answer. It was neat.

One girl asked, "What surgery are we going to see today."

A teeny weeny awkward pause by the vet. Then she bravely waded forward to explain in very medical terms -- just want she was going to do. It flew right over those girls heads. She did a great job! Awesome -- I was proud of her, for my dear daughter was standing right there... and if she had waded too deep into that subject -- I would have slapped her... she probably knew that.

A man poked his head through another door -- "They are ready."

THEY?? 2? 2 horses??

Hey -- we are in for a treat.

So we followed the vet outside. OUTSIDE?? What is the deal? Don't thing have to be sterile? Don't you lay on a table for surgery? Outside?

SURE -- why not.

Well -- to make a long story -- not quit so long...

We watched the castration.

First the horse goes to sleep -- drug induced sleep... I took this photo from far, far away...

She had us stand back until the horse was down on the ground. No problem. We talked in whispers and watched. 2 shots then the horse was laying on the ground. They we walked in for a closer look. We thought it was funny the 2nd horse was waiting in the waiting room (horse trailer). He was making quite a lot of noise... probably was telling Mr. Horse #1, I feel your pain buddy! I'm right here with you... Then after Mr. Horse #1 was on the ground, we think he changed his tune. HEY -- what's the deal? I can't hear you -- everything OK? I've reconsidered... I really DO want to be quiver full!

Some girls observed closer than others. Notice the short girl standing BEHIND the tall girl. Poor Ellen. Her mother made her go. Cora on the other hand is old hat with this sort of deal. Her dad and brothers have done with this sheep... or something. But she did mention that a horse is QUITE a bit bigger than sheep. EVERYTHING is bigger. Wowza. HA HA!! Quite a learning experience for Ellen (the one hiding). She now KNOWS she doesn't want to be a Large Animal Vet. That has narrowed the choices down a little. I'm sure her parents are pleased.


Tori has often said she wanted to be a vet. Doesn't she look thrilled to be there. Observing. Taking notes. Experiencing the thrill of discovery. She dearly LOVES horses... I asked her on the way back to the van. So -- still want to be a Vet? She shrugged... she is most verbose! But -- that was very telling -- because just 30 minutes ago she had been the only one to raise her hand when the vet asked, "Who here wants to be a veterinarian?" ::giggle:: It's always good to get up close and personal before you go and make choices like that.

Only once did I feel like breaking out into a most uncomfortable giggle... after the Vet had taken out one... part... she started in on part #2, because you know... there are 2 to be removed... well one girl said, "Oh -- she's doing it again?" My very intelligent response was, "Oh Yes... 2." Then you know girls... some one was chatting away, so I jumped right in on that conversation, praying she would file away any other questions for her parents to answer at a later date.

We decided that one was enough, one surgery, not one part. After she was done with the dirty deed, I stopped real quick to say THANK YOU! and we left the premises.

Let's just say, "Fun was had by all!" It will be interesting to read their reports they wrote next week. I can't wait!

Tim Hawkins

Never heard of the man before -- but that's not saying much... I don't out very often.

But this video is HILARIOUS!!

** Swap a DVD **

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Cool huh!?! Well -- the only way you can join for now is by invitation only. I have 5 invites. E-mail me and I'll send you one. I have to have your e-mail address to invite you.

Apple Cider Vinegar + Honey

Tori, Dani and I have drank our ACV cocktail to see if we can prevent the throw ups.

So -- that's 3 who have the ACV cocktail. 3 who didn't and 1 who already threw everything up. I'll keep you posted.


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Apple Cider Vinegar Cocktail

2 oz of ACV
2 oz of honey (or more!)
4 oz of water
2-3 ice cubes.

BLEND in the blender.

Drink as much as you can. Usually we sip it. It tastes a little bit like spicey lemonaide... if you squint your eyes and plug your nose. But it's worth it. If it keeps me from vomiting... I'll drink it all day long.
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Oh Lord Have Mercy!

I want your prayers.... I was upchucking at 11:30 last night.

Mom gave me a bath.

Threw up again.

Needed another bath.

Then I camped out in the hallway with mom right close to the bathroom. Used 2 more towels in the night, but didn't need any more baths. My aim is getting better.

This morning -- my mom's a bit tired. I'm praying she doesn't get cranky! Will you pray with me?

She says I can watch all the Lassie movies on Turner Classic Movies. I think it's because SHE wants to watch all the Lassie movies on TCL, but who's asking?

Wayne

How Much Is 300 Grains?

You can go here to test your wordiness and also donate some free rice. How you ask? Don't ask me. LOL Just play the game -- I donated 300 grains of rice and ended up at Vocab Level 34. I'm not so wordy as I think I am.