• Dec. 28, 2007
Let's just move already!!! LOL

So, it is not finished and I am not done moving everything but I just want to get in the new home so you can find me here from now on.... 

The Good Neighbors

Come on over and have a look around.  Make yourself at home.  I will be adding lots of stuff and lots of new links and fun along with the daily blog posts very soon.

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• Dec. 27, 2007
Coming to a book blog near you...

I have a book blog... some of you know that already.  I am doing my own challenge this year and thought some of you might like to know about it.  You can head over and take a look and see if it is something you would be interested in.  The sight is called Learn Something New Every Day and it is my permanent book blog now.  Check for the Foundational Faith Building Challenge for more details.

Other stuff coming is a move to a new blog by the first of January... I will let you know when I am ready.  I have New Year's plans and some things to post about all things new and wonderful!  Stay tuned...

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• Dec. 26, 2007
Christmas morning tale...

Dan and I headed to bed around midnight on Christmas Eve.  I was restless and did not sleep well.  Morning came VERY early for us with the following...

Dan and I were sleeping... it was about 5:15am on Tuesday morning.

A knock on the bedroom door was faint but stirred us from our sleep.

Dan softly spoke, "Come in..."

An excited seven year old entered our bedroom and whispered loudly, "Daddy... mommy, look!"

Dan responded, "What son?"

Again the voice came more emphatically, "Look!"

My voice came next, "Is something wrong?"

The boy, "No, just LOOK!"

Dan turned the bedside light on and we both rolled toward the voice of the boy...

This is what we saw!

Ummm....

...those are one in a set of four fake teeth he got in his stocking...

his father did this!

This is who I live with!!!

Laughter ensued! 

ROFLOL

The rest of the day, for the most part, was ABSOLUTELY lovely!!! 

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• Dec. 25, 2007
Joy to the World....the Savior Reigns!!!

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• Dec. 24, 2007
Merry Christmas Mamaw and Poppy "T"

All the presents arrived safely and are wrapped...


The children have opened their new pajamas...


Our final night of Advent is completed...



and we want to wish you a Merry Christmas.

I will call tomorrow!!!

Much Love,

~Leann

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• Dec. 24, 2007
Mystery...

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• Dec. 23, 2007
Check this out... I can see Mars, can you?

Check out Astronomy.com and get information on the Christmas sky this week.  Mars is visible next to that full moon if your sky is clear.

More can be found at Earth&Sky

...and this little tidbit from Mars Exploration...

Mars Opposition! Mars will not be this close to Earth again until 2016: at a distance of 0.60 AU, or 56 million miles from Earth. Mars rises just after twilight in December. This month, Mars reaches its largest angular diameter of nearly 16 arcseconds. For comparison, Saturn, minus, its rings, spans about 18 arcseconds in apparent diameter this month. Compare the two planets. Mars is 0.6 AU from Earth, while Saturn is 9.2 AU (855 million miles) from Earth. Mars outshines the brightest star in the sky - Sirius, in the constellation Canis Major. On December 23, look for Mars near the full moon. North American observers can glimpse the dark feature Syrtis Major this month, while southern observers can view Solis Lacus. Mars is extremely favorable for telescopic observing this month. From now until April 2008, Mars will be great to view all night long.


Check out this map

For the record... I am into Astronomy and NOT Astrology... there is a HUGE difference.  Any reference to Zodiac signs are irrelevant to me in every way!  Don't read that crap...  God is so much bigger than someone's limited understanding of the stars.  I won't worship the creation but indeed I will the Creator!

OK, one more... found this and it has a Rudolph song about Mars.  It is cute!!!  Take a look...

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• Dec. 23, 2007
Oooops...

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• Dec. 22, 2007
Countdown to Christmas Day...

OH.MY.GOODNESS... my kids are nuts!!!  I finally settled in long enough to wrap presents last night and when the kids woke up they went crazy over the fact that there were actually presents now.  LOL  Dan still has some shopping to do now that he is out of school and he will be taking the kids to do last minute shopping for each other.  They have been thinking about what they were going to buy for each other and have made their shopping lists.  It is so cool watching them think about what they would buy for each other.  We started that about 5 years ago and it has made them much more generous and they love to watch the reactions from the person they are gifting when they open presents on Christmas morning.  The rest of the year they may fight and bicker but on Christmas morning there is laughing and talking about what they gave each other and why.  It is so cool!!!

I have some serious baking to get done for our church party for tomorrow night.  I won't get to go caroling with everyone this year because I am still moving somewhat slowly but I will set up snacks and make hot water for cocoa and coffee for when they get back.  My friend Gabby will be helping with that so I won't do too much too soon. 

Dan is out at the gun range with a friend this morning so the kids and I are picking up around the house and will be making lunch in a few minutes.  J(14) has decided, I think, to do a CD of music he has written for his grandparents and aunts and uncles.  That is a cool present and I hope I get one in MY stocking, too!!!  The boy is gifted and if I were not his mother I would still think that.  I am not kidding when I say God has created him for music in a huge way!!!  I cannot wait to see what God will do with this boy's life.  (all the kids, really, but right now J(14) because he is the oldest)

I did not spend much on Dan for Christmas this year but I think I got something that would bring a tear to his eye.  I prefer those kinds of gifts to stuff people don't really need or spending money just to say it was expensive. 

I am also thinking there might be a new puppy in our future.  J(14) really wants a beagle... he talks about it a great deal.  We just have to repair some fencing to keep a dog in the yard, first.  That may happen in the next two weeks.  A puppy would not be under the tree but might be sometime around the first of the year if we can find one.  We are going to be picky because we want a dog that would be a good companion for J(14) and still patient with the three year old.  A dog is not a thing to rush into in our house... so many crazy kiddos that need a special temperament  to deal with them and all.  We were like that when we got our cat for E(9) four years ago, too.  The cat is JUST LIKE her... I am NOT kidding.  They have the same temperament and are a perfect fit. 

We have two more Advent candles left and will be doing them Sunday night and then the final on Christmas Eve.  I am enjoying this season so much more than in years past.  I think part of it is that we are not having to travel all over this year and are just focusing on being home and being a family.  I think another part of it is that I have had to be still.  God has kept me still and listening more this year than any other year before.  I think I like that more.  I need to take that and make it happen every year.  I will have to plan to get all the shopping and such done earlier and to focus more on gifts that show how much I love someone instead of just buying "stuff" for gifting's sake.

For Christmas Eve we will be home, probably watching a movie, eating a quiet dinner and opening the Christmas Eve packages of pajamas to sleep in.  I wrapped those this morning and the kids were asking what I was doing...  It was hilarious to hear the conversation...

Youngest:   What are you wrapping mommy?
Daughter:   Our Christmas Eve gifts...
Youngest:   What is it?
Middle Boy:  I don't know...
Daughter:   You don't remember what Mom gives us on Christmas Eve?
Middle Boy:   Books?
Daughter:   No... are you serious?  You don't remember???
Oldest:   Pajamas you goofball!!!
Middle Boy:   OH YEAH, I remember...

Everyone laughs!!!

Youngest:   What do they look like?

Everyone else rolls eyes and walks away... "You have to wait to find out!"
Daughter:  You will LOVE them... we ALWAYS love them.

Happy Mom just smiles!!!  I LOVE PAJAMA GIFTING!!!!!

Boy, this has gotten chatty...  I need to get some lunch going and I am not sure when I will be on again.  I will try to post some foodie things and I am still moving all my archives to the new blog.  Six years worth of blogging postS.... that is a lot of work.   lol  I need to just save it all to a disk and not care but I like to have all my stuff in one place as much as possible.  After next week I should be down to three blogs... foodie, books and main and will try really hard NOT to have any more.  My goal is to just be me on one blog and not split myself into so many realms.  I am one person and need to keep all my thoughts in one place.  Hope that makes sense...

Anyway, I hope you all have a very merry Christmas and may you have all you need at this season but most of all I hope you have Jesus!!!  

Love to you all!!!

~Leann

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• Dec. 21, 2007
Things that make me very happy today...

*   My Mom is home from the hospital and in good spirits!!!

*   My doctor's appointment went well and I get to drive, add some small bouts of exercise and clean lightly again... (not sure if that is really and truly all good... LOL)

*   Dan and J(14) are out for two weeks!

*   I put my jeans on today and they were comfortable again!

*   Christmas music

*   Hershey's Chocolate Cheesecake Kisses

*   A clean kitchen

*   Wrapped Christmas presents

*   Flannel Pajamas

*   Mail from New Zealand!!!  Thank you Amy!!!!!

*   Project Playlist

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• Dec. 20, 2007
Thursday Thirteen - 12th edition... Christmas Version

Predictable... Thirteen Things I Love About Christmas...

1.   I LOVE ADVENT!!! - the candles, the scripture, the family time, the stories...

2.   The music - for 6 to 8 weeks a year I fill our home with music of the season and nothing else - IT IS MAGNIFICENT!!!

3.   The movies - there is nothing like a good viewing of Miracle on 34th Street or It's a Wonderful Life... and how about A Christmas Story or ELF?  The movies are great!!!

4.   The stories... some of my favorites are A Christmas Carol and The Gift of the Magi and I partake in the annual reading of C. S. Lewis Xmas and Christmas: A Lost Chapter from Herodotus

5.   The annual baking of the cookies!!!

6.   The annual making of the gingerbread house!!!

7.   Christmas morning cinnamon rolls while we drink coffee and cocoa and open presents in our flannel pajamas

8.   Picking out the yearly pajamas gifted on Christmas Eve to the children.

9.   Christmas cards of all varieties and letters from family and friends

10.   Caroling with our little congregation around the neighborhood and to shut-ins

11.   The children's faces as they open gifts and come in first thing Christmas morning

12.   Putting up the ornaments from Christmases past made by family and friends

13.   Driving around to see the lights... and just being a family while doing all of the above

So, what are your favorite parts of Christmas???

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• Dec. 20, 2007
Update on my mom...

She had surgery and came through beautifully!  She rested well through the night and will be working on moving around today, getting a shower and cleaning up as she feels like it.  She gets to go home tomorrow.  Thanks for your prayers.... keep them going for a speedy recovery and healing of that bone and tissue around the break.  Pray for my dad, too.  They are planning a very quiet Christmas and my brothers will be stopping by to check on them, too.  I wish I could be there but am still not allowed to travel myself.  I will be calling and checking in with them often, too.

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• Dec. 19, 2007
A lightbulb moment of sorts...

It is no secret that my FIL is not my favorite person on the planet.  I have really tried to like him but he is so self absorbed it is hard.  I have been praying for some time that God would allow me to worship in spite of him when he is leading.  Sunday was one of those days where it was very hard to focus on the Lord and just worship in spirit and truth.  I figured out why I worship so well when Dan leads and not so much when FIL leads...

He is actually thwarting the worship for me in what he does and not in just who he is.  When Dan leads he leads from the piano... often times so that no one else will get on that doesn't follow him well or that plays too loudly for worship to take place.  The piano is quite the percussive instrument and it is louder than the guitar that Dan has used in times past.  So, he leads from the piano with a little microphone in front of his face and a powerpoint of lyrics on the walls.  He puts everything on the powerpoint including the hymns he is using, all the choruses and praise songs so that no one is flipping around in a book and hunting for words to be able to sing.

His dad, on the other hand, stands front and center, waving his arms and hollering out numbers in books to find.  He cuts the instrumentalists off to let the congregation sing without them for effect and orchestrates the worship to fit what he thinks it ought to be like.  He modulates 4 or 5 times in a song for effect and the instrumentalists cannot even follow him half the time.  He manipulates things to bring an "effect" that he is trying to get and gets mad when people cannot read his mind and stay with him.  Oh, and they cannot follow because he never tells us what he is going to do or calls a rehearsal to practice anything... everything is a total "wing it when I get to church" moment.

Dan gets out of the way... he lets me worship the way I feel led to worship.  He provides the background music and I get to talk to God and sing to God and praise and worship God.  I can lift my hands when I feel like it or sit or stand when I feel led to do so or just weep in my little seat if I need to do that, too.  And.... he actually plans a set of music and has the power point ready to go when he starts with keys written out of the musicians and any new music is handed out before time. 

FIL tells us when to raise our hands or bow our heads or sing a certain way or time - men sing this verse... women sing this verse... now just the instruments... now the instruments be quiet... now the trombones... now the flutes.... etc....  It is so blaming distracting that I cannot worship.  I will often close my eyes and ignore him just to be able to worship in a private little corner by myself. 

He likes to be the center of attention... that has been true for many years in the way that he dominates conversations and gets mad when people won't listen to him even when he cuts people off to speak.  He is rude and it pours over into the way he leads church and worship.  This is a HUGE reason I have been so frustrated for so long in church.  I have quit playing my flute, do not do solos anymore or sing in the praise team time unless Dan is the only one leading that day.  I cannot take it and now I know why!

Just sit down and get out of the way and let me commune with God... I don't need your help!!!  Last time I checked my prayer and worship did not have to go through anyone else's approval or orchestration to be prayer and worship in the sight of God. 

Just my $.02 for today...

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• Dec. 19, 2007
Pray for my Mom, please!!!

She fell at handbell practice last night and broke her arm.  She will be having surgery to put a pin in and she will have a long road ahead with healing.  Thanks!!!

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• Dec. 18, 2007
Birthday Revelry...

I did not lift a finger to clean anything today or cook anything... except my scrambled egg at breakfast and I have been gifted and showered upon all day...

*   Homemade cards
*   a card my mom left filled with money that my daughter brought to me first thing this morning
*   a vegetarian pizza and a bottle of Dr. Pepper... the best soda on the PLANET!!!  LOL
*   a quiet evening with the family... until they left to go to scouts.  My littlest angel stayed home with me, though and we are watching The Best Present of All right now (a Donut Man Christmas episode we have on tape)
*    I also know what we are doing this weekend.... one of my new presents dictates that we bake cookies...  not just ANY cookies but 3D cookies that stand up and are from Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer show - including the Bumble that bounces!!!  LOL
*   And I will be uploading some digital photos onto my new Digital Photo Frame!!!  I LOVE THESE THINGS!!!!!

It has been a lovely day!!!

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• Dec. 18, 2007
Huckabee is a positive choice for homeschoolers...

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• Dec. 17, 2007
Nothing, as in doing nothing, feels good today...

I have taken two days offline.  I spent the morning in church with my family, ate lunch at MIL's and then we came home to just lay around.  Dan and I finally watched the last four episodes of 24 season 3 last night.  Yes, we watched ALL FOUR AT ONE TIME!!!  LOL  We could not help ourselves.... they were intense episodes!  So, being up late we slept in this morning... well, at least I did with the three that stayed home.  Dan had to go to work.  ;)  I had started A Christmas Carol yesterday, too, so I finished reading that this morning around 10:30... yes, I laid about reading all morning as did the kids.  It was a nice feeling. 

After laying about so late I got up and showered and made lunch.  Then around 3:00pm I laid down again and napped sporadically while the kids napped and read for about an hour and a half.  Talk about lay abouts!!!  We certainly were that today.  Then I put a frozen dish in the oven... one that one of my Bible study friends sent and warmed up some lima beans and pulled out a fruit salad that was in the fridge.  It was delicious... a chicken, rice and cheese dish.  I am going to have to get the recipe.  Then we piled into the van and went out to see lights.  What a great relaxing day.  I am now typing as I listen to a concert we recorded several years ago of Chip Davis and Manheim Steamroller's Christmas Special.  It is amazing!!!  I am planning another day of laying about tomorrow to celebrate my 41st birthday!  LOL  I am reading Light from Heaven now and have a few Christmas books to read in between as I feel like it. 

You all would be so proud of me... learning to lay about and all.  It is becoming easier to just relax the more I do it.  Oh, the laundry needs to be done and the kitchen is a bit of a mess but it will all be there when I can get to it.  The frozen meals have helped a great deal and Dan has some casseroles in the works for later in the week that he can put together easily.  What a great man!!!  Dan and J(14) are doing a great bit of it when they get home in the evenings to just keep up a bit.

Well, my cocoa is getting cold - cinnamon cocoa - the Chip Davis Manheim Steamroller brand from Albertson's grocery store.  It is delicious!!! 

Blessings to you all...   *schmoochie*

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• Dec. 15, 2007
Still on the sidelines...

You reach a point where you are just tired of sitting around.  I have reached that point...

This past week I have missed a great deal. 

Missed Dan's one turn to preach this month last week... I LOVE when he preaches!  *sigh*  The other two, not so much...

Dan and J(14) have had their Christmas concert at school.  I did not get to go...

They had their Cub Scout party.... again, stuck at home.

Today is the annual Tuba Christmas program at the mall... the big boys are playing today....stuck...

I could probably go to church tomorrow if I am just sitting but it is the time after that will be taxing with going to MIL's house and being with all the bouncy cousins that like to jump on me - I cannot be jumped upon at this point... believe me the three year old has been suffering from lack of pouncing on mommy.  I SO hate telling him he cannot sit with me. 

My mom went home yesterday... I miss her already...

...and I am missing Nattie today...  Happy birthday Dearheart!!!

I am in a pity party mood and I apologize... I won't blog again until I feel more spirited and less moody, I promise.

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• Dec. 15, 2007
another little heads up...

If you are linked to my book blog you might want to change the address.  I am in the same place just different address with blogger....  academy252books.blogspot.com .   Thanks!

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• Dec. 14, 2007
A heads up...

I just wanted you all to know that come January 1, 2008 I am going to move where I blog.  It has nothing to do with being disgruntled by homeschoolblogger at all.  They have served me well.  I am interested in moving into another realm of blogging life that is much more than homeschooling and I just want to do that somewhere else.  I will let you know where I am going and when I get there.  The PPW is changing her identity.  I am still a pastor's wife but I have so many more voices that reside in my shell.  I will be moving things slowly over the coming days and will tell you when I am settled.  I hope you will join me in my new home.

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• Dec. 14, 2007
Missing Natalie...

She has been on my mind a great deal lately.  She has been home in heaven now for six months and her birthday is tomorrow... we shared December birthdays among a whole slew of other things.  Her family is on my mind, too.  I miss my soul sis!!!  So in honor and sweet, sweet memory of her I bring you another edition of....

fe·lic·i·ties

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• Dec. 13, 2007
Thursday Thirteen - 11th edition...

You have NO idea how hard it is to do NOTHING!!!  LOL  Here is the list of thirteen things I will do when my doctor releases me from my post surgery restrictions...

1.   Take a walk outside for more than 10 minutes (maybe even a full hour)

2.   Pick up a laundry basket myself without having to ask other people to do it for me.

3.   Actually make a full blown meal without having to sit down every 10 minutes.

4.   Lift weights again... I am SO flabby!!!

5.   DRIVE!!!

6.   Let my little one sit in my lap again.

7.   Play with the kids in the backyard and at the park

8.   Get back to deep cleaning my bedroom closet

9.   Continue with the book and clothes purge

10.   Move some furniture around

11.   Be back to taking NO medications AT ALL!!!

12.   Wear my jeans again

13.   Gardening prep for the spring - my beds are so overgrown with dead stuff!

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• Dec. 12, 2007
Repurposing...

I will readily admit that it is often hard for us to get rid of things that still work.  We have been cleaning the house over the past few months and if something is broken or junk it is easily thrown out.  The problem is what to do with the stuff that still works.  We have four different varieties of computer in our home.  My broken screened computer which still can be used when hooked up to a monitor is now at home in the kitchen and I use it for all my school and recipe stuff.  It is not hooked up to the internet. 

Dan has a work computer and a personal computer - both laptops - and that is where he does all his scouting (Pack Master program) and lesson plan stuff for school.  We are currently sharing the personal laptop when he can leave it home with me.  He has been leaving it more lately because I am stuck not being able to do much and it keeps me in touch with the outside world a bit more.  LOL

Two other computers we have are the one we had before I got my laptop (ME edition) and one that my mom gave to J(14) and it is the Windows 98 version.  J(14) uses it to do school stuff.  The ME edition was wiped and restarted and has recently been moved to the den and is loaded with learning games and school related programs now.  There is no online access and the kids are using it strictly for homeschooling and reward for getting work done purposes.  It works very well for us to use it in that capacity.  There is something for everyone...  Bookworm, which is my daughter's program that I am currently addicted to.    There is a Spanish program and a music writing program along with a slew of little K-3 learning games, some Hoyle board and card games.  E(9) also has a crocheting and knitting program that have helped her learn to do all those cute little projects that she does.  It has been a great tool for us while I have been out of commission a bit, too.  It has been so much of an asset that I bought a geography program and a Hoyle Word program for their stockings for Christmas.  I just wish we had been able to do that when J(14) was homeschooling but we just did not have the computers at that point to be able to do that. 

At some point in the near future I will be getting a new laptop and then the old one will be put out in the study room for J(14)... he has requested it so he can upload his music writing program to it.  It only works on the newer systems and not the W98 that he has now.  I think at that point we will get rid of the oldest computer to make more room but for now all of them are in use and serving us well. 

Repurposing all the old computers has worked very well for us and enriched our schooling experience in recent months in a very fun way. 

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• Dec. 11, 2007
Coolio... an Advent Link or two

Advent4Evangelicals is not updating this year but the archives are worth a gander for sure!

Advent's Spiritual Pilgrimage - an article of note

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• Dec. 10, 2007
My own personal summer...

So it is about 50 degrees outside for the high today and right now it is heading down.  The heater has been set on 68 degrees and I even pushed it lower a few hours ago.  The doctor told me that I would probably have a few menopausal symptoms and today seems to be the day for hot flashes...  I go from comfortable to cold and then I reach a point where I am ready to head for the shorts and t-shirt.  I was told this would be temporary... we shall see...  LOL  On top of the Darvocet fog this is all just too surreal for me. 

Ok, that's all.

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• Dec. 10, 2007
Today I blogged...

over at the Hyster Files for anyone interested in reading about the whole experience - not graphic, I promise! 

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• Dec. 9, 2007
Still worthless...

I decided I still am not ready to face the world so I stayed home from church today.  I am still moving slowly and taking pain meds every 8 hours or so.  I have weaned from two pills every six hours to one pill every eight and hope to go completely off them by the end of this next week.  The Darvocet makes me so loopy I am not sure I am remembering all the conversations I have had over the past few days. 

In staying home today I watched the last of the Anne of Green Gables series - The Continuing Story.  I love Anne Shirley!  It was a very different film from the first two, though.  Before that I had tried to lay down and snooze a bit and I woke in a coughing fit.  NOT comfortable after having your midsection cut in half and then stitched back together.  I scurried to get water and stop the fit but it took me a bit to recover from that.  At one point I was talking out loud to God to please stop this because I might faint if it continued.  That is funny now but at the time.... not so much.

My recovery is rather miraculous.  I have been told I am moving around very well to have had surgery less than a week ago.  All my bloodwork showed levels in nutrients and iron and such that would be good for pre-op but mine are post op.  I guess all the whole grains and healthier eating has played a large role in a speedy recovery.  That is cool!  I ultimately know that God is the reason any of that is possible, though.  He has done wonders with my little 40 year old milk carton of a body. 

So, I am guessing, because of the drugs, I might show up here tomorrow and not remember that I had posted this and then I will have to reread it and think something like, "when did I write this"?  LOL  I need to go before I start revealing deep dark secrets to everyone. 

Love to you all!!!

Oh, this is the second week of Advent tonight, too.  Enjoy your family!!!

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• Dec. 8, 2007
Early Christmas...

My mom has been here for a little over a week now.  She and my dad wanted to buy us a new refrigerator for Christmas.  It was delivered this morning!!!  I am so excited!!!!!

Out with the old...

This was an 18 cubic feet refrigerator we bought when we had ONE child.  Now we have four so...


In with the new!



Now we have a whopping 24 cubic feet!!!  I LOVE IT!!!!!

Note:  E(9) put the first thing on it... she could NOT resist!  LOL

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• Dec. 7, 2007
I am home...

Ladies, everything went VERY smoothly.  The following update may be TMI but I am amazed at how God has gotten me through this so well.

*  Surgery is suppose to be about a two hour procedure.  I was out in 1.5 hours.
*   My ovaries were much too "beautiful" (to quote the doctor) to even consider removing them.
*   Voiding came very quickly and everything adjusted back to normal quickly
*   No blood clots
*   No fever
*   No upset tummy
*   lots of sleep
*   pain pills are good
*   eating normally within 36 hours after surgery
*   came home yesterday late afternoon and ate and went to bed. 
*   I was originally scheduled to go home today but did very well and got the early go-ahead


Dan got a new battery for my cell-phone so it is good to go now.  Thanks for all of your prayers through this time.  I still have much recovery ahead but I feel it will go quickly and I will be obedient in all the instructions the doctor gave to insure it. 



PS.  Dan is not a techie so he was not able to update here.  He is SO afraid of the blog screen!  LOL

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• Dec. 3, 2007
Nervous and passing the time while the bread rises...

Today has been busy with trying to do the last minute things.   I have all of my stuff out and ready to pack but I cannot climb into the attic for my bag so I am waiting on Dan to get home and get it for me.  Tomorrow is the day... 

In the meantime I sat down a bit and found this at Amy's while checking out the sisters before I am out of pocket for a few days.  I thought I would do it to pass the time a bit and take my mind off the rest. 

What are your five favorite Christmas songs?
1. Nat King Cole's The Christmas Song
2. Manheim Steamroller's Christmas Lullaby
3. Manheim Steamroller's Silent Night Arrangement
4. Welcome to Our World by Chris Rice
5. O Tannenbaum by Vince Guaraldi Trio

...and so many more!!!

Five foods you look forward to at Christmastime?
1. Divinity candy - I make it every year
2. Fudge
3. Pie... of any kind really, but my most favorites are Buttermilk or Pumpkin
4. Black eyed peas for the New Year's Eve celebration made with a ham bone for flavoring
5. Breakfast cinnamon rolls for the family on Christmas morning

Five favourite presents of all time?
1. A little teddy bear from my grandmother
2. my pink Bible from Dan for our first Christmas as husband and wife
3. the refrigerator my mom just bought for us this year!  WOOT!!!
4. A crocheted afghan from my Meemaw
5. A copy of my FAVORITE movie... It's a Wonderful Life

What are your five favorite holiday TV specials?
1. Charlie Brown Christmas
2. The Year Without A Santa Claus - Heat Mizer and Snow Mizer
3. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer - Bumbles Bounce!!!  LOL
4. The Grinch - the Old Fritz Freleng version with Boris Karloff singing
5. Santa Claus is Coming to Town - the one where the Winter Warlock changes and sings that really cool song One Foot in Front of the Other.

Top five holiday-themed films?
1. It's A Wonderful Life
2. A Christmas Story
3. Elf
4. White Christmas
5. Christmas Vacation - I know... I am demented but it is TOTALLY HILARIOUS to me!!!

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• Dec. 1, 2007
Advent Begins...

Daily Scripture Readings
Saturday December 1 - Isaiah 42:1-9
Sunday December 2 - Malachi 3:1-4
Monday December 3  -  Psalm 89:1-29
Tuesday December 4 - Isaiah 55
Wednesday December 5 - Isaiah 35
Thursday December 6 - Luke 1:26-38
Friday December 7 - John 1:1-10
Saturday December 8- John 1:11-18

Sunday December 9 - Micah 5:2
Monday December 10 - Malachi 3:1-4
Tuesday December 11 - Matthew 1:18-25
Wednesday December 12 - Mark 1:1-13
Thursday December 13 - Isaiah 40:1-11
Friday December 14 - Isaiah 52:1-6
Saturday December 15 - Isaiah 9:2-7

Sunday December 16 - Luke 2:8-20
Monday December 17 - Luke 1:5-25
Tuesday December 18 - Luke 1:39-56
Wednesday December 19 - Jeremiah 33:7-16
Thursday December 20 - Luke 1:57-80
Friday December 21 - Isaiah 61
Saturday December 22 - Revelation 21:1-7

Sunday December 23 - Matthew 1:18-25 &  Luke 2:1-20
Monday December 24 - Matthew 2:1-12 & Revelation 1:10-18
Tuesday December 25 - Christmas Day:  Read the Christmas story together from Luke 2:1-38

The Sunday scriptures are the Advent Candle reading scriptures.  Here is what we do when we light our candle each week...


December 2 -  Prophecy Candle
Scripture:  Malachi 3:1-4
Song: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Reading:


December 9  Bethlehem Candle
Scripture:  Micah 5:2
Song: O Little Town of Bethlehem
Reading:


December 16  Shepherd Candle
Scripture:  Luke 2:8-20
Song: While Shepherd's Watched Their Flocks By Night
Reading:


December 23  Angel Candle
Scripture:  Matthew 1:18-25 & Luke 1:28-38
Song: Angels, We Have Heard on High
Reading:


December 24 (Christmas Eve)  Christ Candle
Scripture:  Luke 2:1-38
Song: Silent Night & O Come All Ye Faithful
Reading:

All readings to be determined later...

For more about our Advent season you can take a look back at our years past posts on the topic.

Here are some photos of us getting ready today... (with a few leftovers from snowday...)

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• Nov. 28, 2007
Just a few days...

I thought I would put this here for anyone interested.  I have pre-op coming and the surgery is next week.  I am still going to be scarce here until after I get home from the hospital.  I will try to get Dan to post when I come through surgery next week.  Your prayers are appreciated...

On a lighter note, I have one more class and a final and I AM DONE!!!

My Mom arrives tomorrow!!!  I am SO READY for her to be here and the kiddos are just bouncing off the walls in anticipation.  LOL 

Thought I would also share a bit of exciting news...  We take, what is called, a practical in our culinary classes.  The purpose of the test is to see where we stand.  It consists of a 3 1/2 hour free for all of baking which includes a yeast bread, dinner rolls, two kinds of cookies (chewy and crispy), eclairs, pastry cream and a plated dessert with five different elements.  It does NOT affect our final class grade but it gives the instructor a view of what we have learned and how much we need to learn in future classes.  In the past four years that my instructor has been teaching in the pastry classes there have only been four students that have passed this test in the baking fundamentals class.  The test is a pass/fail situation with a passing score being 375 points.  Well, a fifth student passed it last night with a score of exactly 375... that would be ME!!!  I was so very thrilled!!!!!  The chef instructor was so encouraging and congratulatory, too.  I think I am doing what I am suppose to be doing...  I love my life!!!!!

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• Nov. 24, 2007
Snow...

We have had quite the nutty day.  We woke to 2 inches of snow on the ground at 7:00am and it has been snowing all day since.  I think we reached about 10-12 inches of snow by the time the sun went down a bit ago.  We have also moved our dining room to the sunroom so we can enjoy the view from our dining table as we enjoy our food.  We are also cleaning and tomorrow I am cooking a turkey.  We had our Thanksgiving with family but we are doing our own meal tomorrow just because.  I have a turkey thawed and I will be doing the sides tomorrow.  I don't think we will be going to church tomorrow because J(14) and I have been sick most of the weekend with a headcold and the roads will be frozen after a night with temps in the 20s and all the water and snow on the streets that will be freezing up overnight.  Dan will probably go just in case someone shows up but I think it highly unlikely there will be many if any there.  Anyway... 

Here are some pics from today...

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• Nov. 20, 2007
IRL Photo Op...

We had an opportunity yesterday for four of the OWOA (One Weigh Or Another) group members to get together and here are some pics.  From left to right - me, Kellie, Blest, Debs...


Here are just Debs and me...  she is here from London, UK - a long trip for a short visit.  ;)

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• Nov. 19, 2007
An award...

This is SO late in coming.  Free2Fly sent this to me some time ago and I have been negligent in putting it up.  I am so thrilled to put this on my site and share it with you guys. 



I am passing this blog excellence award on to a few people in hopes that they will display it proudly, too. 

Amy...  for her New Zealand scenery and positive messages on life, love and family!  She is a rockin' retro gal, too!!!  I LOVE AMY!!!!!

Debs... I got to meet her IN REAL LIFE today!!!  She is getting this award for being such a lovely lady and so very brave to move to a strange land for three months... El Paso!!!

Cheri... Mom of four, living in a brave new world on a brave frontier, amazing woman and full of faith!!!  I adore her and want to be her when I grow up!!!!!

Stephanie... I have met her in real life, too, a few years ago.  We don't get to talk much due to our crazy homes but she was the one that made my very first business cards - the ones I am still passing out to everyone I meet.  She is an amazing woman and mommy as well as an entrepreneurial spirit with a small business right from her home!  She inspires me so much!!!  Love to you girl!!!!!

Christine...  she hates these things!!!  LOL  But I love her so she is getting it anyway, darn it!!!!!  She is an AVID supporter of women, adoption, pastor's wives, crunchy living, and breastfeeding among many other things.  You have to visit her site to know why she is getting this from me.  If I can't be Cheri when I grow up I want to be Christine... or maybe I can be both!!!!!  LOL  When we meet in real life we will squeal like schoolgirls!!!

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• Nov. 19, 2007
7 Things revisited...

Tagged by ELF and someone else tagged me some time ago for this, too, and I don't remember who... I am sorry to that person and if you would let me know I will link to you here in this post, too.  Life has been nuts so I apologize for my lack of attention in this matter!  :-)

I have been tagged a few times to do this but I am out of new stuff...  LOL  So, here are the links to past lists I have done for those who don't know these things about me.  :) 

7 Things 1st edition

8 Things - a slightly longer version

I may do a new 100 things for the new year but not right now.  Oh, while I was typing I thought of a few things...

*   I love Steve Martin movies.

*   I don't wear jewelry except for my wedding ring.

*   I love to have my feet massaged!

*   I would rather hang out with the guys than a bunch of girls most days... except for today!  LOL  (I grew up with brothers and just got used to that kinda thing)

*   My favorite downtime activity is escaping to a quiet place to read and sip tea.  I think you already knew that, though. 

*   My favorite candy bar is a Snicker's bar.

*   Even if I did not have children I would still watch kid movies.  :-)

If you have not done this one already then you may take it and run with it.  Let me know if you do... Thanks!

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• Nov. 18, 2007
Another week away...

I know... I am neglectful!  I finished up the week with a bake-off last week.  You would be glad to know, I hope, that I placed 1st in the pie category - took a gold medal and everything!  SO COOLIO!!!  This is the pie... my own version of a Snicker Bar Pie...



This week I am finishing up my last take-home assignment in Nutrition and doing a bit more pie baking before the holiday and weekend are upon us.  We will also be cleaning house this week and setting up for the Christmas season on Friday.  I think we are going light on school this week.  I also have a volunteer opportunity for the dinner at school on Wednesday for the Child Crisis Center.  I think I will do it... I cannot pass up feeding kiddos for free!!!  I love such things...  So, that means I am scarce again for this week.  I also have about 2 weeks until surgery...  You all understand I know.  I miss you all so much when I am not here on a regular basis but you know I am thinking about you all.  I know that my New Zealand and British friends will not be celebrating Thanksgiving specifically but I want to wish all the best for Thanksgiving.  Take time to just reflect on all God has done for all of us this past year.  I am so thankful that three out of my four children know the Lord as their Savior now.  I am so thankful I have my husband and family for another year.  I am so thankful for the opportunity to go back to school and do something I really love.  So much to be thankful for... 

We may have lost friends and family members, too... take time to remember them.  I will be thinking especially of Natalie this year...  God is so good!  I cannot wait for the ultimate day of Thanksgiving when we all get to meet up on the other side together.  We are all gonna squeal like little girls and run to embrace.  What a day... then we will get to worship our Father forever TOGETHER!!!!!

Love to you all!!!  May your holiday be very full of all of God's blessings!!!!!

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• Nov. 12, 2007
Here ya go...

not a stitch of make-up here but the hair was freshly cut.  :)

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• Nov. 11, 2007
A very quick update...

Hey ladies!  I have missed you all...  The week past has been a bit nuts but here is a bullet update for you...

*   School four days with journal and take home test turned in on Tuesday
*   Worked on my very first wedding cake and reception
*   Got my hair cut and highlighted - I am officially blond!  LOL
*   Piano solo festival out of the way and theory tests done
*   J(14) made 1st chair all-region symphonic band (the top band) and is officially the best trombone player in the middle schools in the whole city... SO COOL!!!
*   Dan and J(14) have the day off tomorrow
*   Got another test in nutrition on Wednesday
*   Got the bake-off coming on Saturday next week so I am working on entries this week
*   I am behind on Bible study but hope to go on Tuesday if all are well.
*   Joshy was sick last week for about 4 days
*   I owe one more day for office work to be caught up on my function credits
*   The biggest part of my semester is over by Saturday afternoon and it is just a matter of two week until surgery by then. 
*   Ready for Thanksgiving and for my mom to be here soon! 

More as I can post...  and I hope to catch up on reading some blogs this week, too.  I am so neglectful of the online part of my life lately. 

Love to all!

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• Nov. 5, 2007
Bloggy break...

Considering that very soon all I will have time and energy to do is be online then I need to take an official blogging break for a week or so.  I have a wedding cake and some bread baking for customers to do as well as an upcoming bake-off and a few more tests.  We also have school and lots of piano practice this week with a coming competition next weekend.  I will try to post on my hysterfiles as needed and check in with my MySpace for a few minutes a day for those I am in touch with over there (plus I will be listening to my playlist over there while I work in the kitchen some).  Maybe a picture or two will show up from time to time, too. 

E-mail me if you like, too!  (((HUG)))

~Love to you all!!!

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• Nov. 1, 2007
Needing some specific prayer....

Dan is not feeling well.  He has been off since he started this second medication during the summer but lately it seems worse.  We are going to try to get him to go to the doctor but life is so busy at school for him right now.  Please pray he will be willing to go and that I won't nag and that he will have some answers.  Thanks!!!

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• Oct. 31, 2007
Just enjoying something funny...

I have been up to my eyeballs in stuff this week... no play on the fact that it is the day for eyeballs and gore and such, btw...  I really have been crazy busy!  LOL  Got a take-home test yesterday that is due next Tuesday and a major nutrition test on Friday so I have been sending the computer with Dan so I won't be tempted to be online.  I have also been baking my little fingers to the bone lately, too.  I will share all of that later but for now I am just laughing my socks off at this...  oh, and HAPPY REFORMATION DAY!!!!!!!

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• Oct. 28, 2007
Here is a video of....

Dan and our 7 year old fishing...



The rest is boring so I will skip all the details and post when I have something to say later in the week.

Later...

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• Oct. 27, 2007
T-E-A-C-H-E-R

Emmy and I took some time out tonight for a girl's night out.  She recently read a book called Helen Keller by Stewart and Polly Anne Graff.  It was a book that I had read many times as a young girl and I passed it onto her.  It was an emotional read for both of us and made a great impact on me as I think it did for her, too. 

Anyway, as things happen, my BIL has been in a play at a local Kids and Company theatre as the teacher of Anne Sullivan, who was the teacher of Helen Keller.  The play has been running for the month of October.  After Emmy finished the book we decided to make plans to go and see it.  The play is The Miracle Worker.  Can I just say that the little girl who played Helen was MAGNIFICENT?!?!?!  She did a brilliant job.  She was a very short little 10 year old girl and she was BRILLIANT!!!  We thoroughly enjoyed our time out and we have determined to get back to our sign language studies, too.  What a great time we had! 

I leave you with one of my favorite Helen Keller quotes...

"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved."

Helen Keller
US blind & deaf educator (1880 - 1968)

and a favorite Anne Sullivan quote...

"I have thought about it a great deal, and the more I think, the more certain I am that obedience is the gateway through which knowledge, yes, and love, too, enter the mind of the child. "
Anne Sullivan

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• Oct. 26, 2007
No Pomp.... No Circumstance....

Had a typical week this week.  You know, the usual...

*   Did a research paper and presentation
*   Went to class
*   Schooled the kiddos
*   Made a trip to pick up Coop stuff and a trip to the health food store
*   Baked mini souffles and flan
*   Made fruit sauces and a variety of caramel and custard things
*   Got a book in the mail that I ordered a few weeks ago.
*   Prepped some food for the Boy Scout court of honor
*   Attended a little concert at the middle school where Dan teaches and J(almost 14) plays
*   Did some laundry
*   Had a study date with my friend Julieta to go over our study guide for coming test
*   Watched a movie with the kids
*   Caught up a bit on our Netflix... 24 addiction
*   Cooked lots of meals
*   Worked on culinary cookbook and attended culinary club meeting
*   Ran a few errands

and....

Oh yeah, was quietly inducted into Phi Theta Kappa honor society this week...  with a 4.0 GPA

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• Oct. 24, 2007
Thursday Thirteen - 10th edition....

Thirteen of my favorite songs of the 70's and 80's (my impressionable years)



1.   Saturday in the Park - Chicago
(One of my ALL TIME favorite songs!!!)

2.   Shining Star - Earth, Wind and Fire
(AWESOME dance song)

3.   September - Earth, Wind and Fire
(Love the big brass sound and Phillip Bailey's voice is just too cool!)

4.   MacArthur Park - Donna Summer
(does anyone really know what this one means?)

5.   Piano Man - Billy Joel
(The COOLEST piano man on the planet!!!)

6.   I Can't Help This Feeling.... Blue Suede
(still own the 45 for this one!!!  LOL)

7.   Why Do Birds Suddenly Appear... The Carpenters
(sang it in choir in an experimental ensemble and took it to state competition where we got a first division rating - still cannot get it out of my brain)

8.   Beautiful Day - U2
(Edgy and Irish... my favorite!)

9.   Desperado - The Eagles
(and who DOESN'T think the Eagles are cool???)

10.   Mary Had a Little Lamb - Stevie Ray Vaughn Style!
(OMGaw.... this one is just so rockin')

11.   You've Got a Friend - James Taylor
(popular among my friends when we were hanging out and singing loudly with the radio)

12.   Colour My World - Chicago
(edgy chords and rich!!!)

13.   Brick House - The Commodores
(popular music coming from the field house while we were doing marching practice on the field)

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• Oct. 24, 2007
Time just keeps slippin', slippin', slippin'..... into the future......

The research paper is done and turned in and the presentation is done, too.  Nothing left but the tests... one on Monday and then two more to go.  I am tired...  I am a bit moody the past few days so it may be best if I stick with the Memes for a few days.  So, the next post is the Thursday Thirteen and then the Friday Felicities.  I will be studying over the weekend and I have birthday pies to bake for my teenager.  He will be 14 on Monday.  It is too much to believe he is almost in high school!!!  Where did the time go??? 

Nothing profound today or any of the days to come for while.  I am hoping to get back to some regular posting sometime soon...  Don't hold your breath, though.  LOL 

I love you guys... you know that right?  Well, I do... 

Later...

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• Oct. 20, 2007
Puritan Poetry...

I adore Anne Bradstreet's writing... this is one my favorites!

The Vanity of All Worldly Things

As he said vanity, so vain say I,
Oh! Vanity, O vain all under sky;
Where is the man can say, "Lo, I have found
On brittle earth a consolation sound"?
What isn't in honor to be set on high?
No, they like beasts and sons of men shall die,
And whilst they live, how oft doth turn their fate;
He's now a captive that was king of late.
What isn't in wealth great treasures to obtain?
No, that's but labor, anxious care, and pain.
He heaps up riches, and he heaps up sorrow,
It's his today, but who's his heir tomorrow?
What then? Content in pleasures canst thou find?
More vain than all, that's but to grasp the wind.
The sensual senses for a time they pleasure,
Meanwhile the conscience rage, who shall appease?
What isn't in beauty? No that's but a snare,
They're foul enough today, that once were fair.
What is't in flow'ring youth, or manly age?
The first is prone to vice, the last to rage.
Where is it then, in wisdom, learning, arts?
Sure if on earth, it must be in those parts;
Yet these the wisest man of men did find
But vanity, vexation of the mind.
And he that know the most doth still bemoan
He knows not all that here is to be known.
What is it then? To do as stoics tell,
Nor laugh, nor weep, let things go ill or well?
Such stoics are but stocks, such teaching vain,
While man is man, he shall have ease or pain.
If not in honor, beauty, age, nor treasure,
Nor yet in learning, wisdom, youth, nor pleasure,
Where shall I climb, sound, seek, search, or find
That summum bonum which may stay my mind?
There is a path no vulture's eye hath seen,
Where lion fierce, nor lion's whelps have been,
Which leads unto that living crystal fount,
Who drinks thereof, the world doth naught account.
The depth and sea have said " 'tis not in me,"
With pearl and gold it shall not valued be.
For sapphire, onyx, topaz who would change;
It's hid from eyes of men, they count it strange.
Death and destruction the fame hath heard,
But where and what it is, from heaven's declared;
It brings to honor which shall ne'er decay,
It stores with wealth which time can't wear away.
It yieldeth pleasures far beyond conceit,
And truly beautifies without deceit.
Nor strength, nor wisdom, nor fresh youth shall fade,
Nor death shall see, but are immortal made.
This pearl of price, this tree of life, this spring,
Who is possessed of shall reign a king.
Nor change of state nor cares shall ever see,
But wear his crown unto eternity.
This satiates the soul, this stays the mind,
And all the rest, but vanity we find.
by Anne Bradstreet

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• Oct. 19, 2007
Friday Felicities...

So much going on...research paper in progress... I am so thankful today for...

*   Family
*   rest and relaxation
*   A new Netflix movie in the mail
*   Pork chops, mashed potatoes and wilted spinach with home grown tomatoes
*   An early bedtime
*   A very clean kitchen
*   Leftover pastry cream from Wednesday
*   Ideas for the coming Bake-Off
*   Cool nights and flannel pajamas
*   A letter from a sweet sister in the mail today... thank you Kellie!!!
*   A passion for what I do!!!

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• Oct. 18, 2007
Thursday Thirteen - 9th edition

It is Autumn!!! 
It is my MOST favorite time of the year so this week is 13 things I love about Autumn.

1.   That early morning chill in the house!

2.   The leaves are starting to turn beautiful colors

3.   I can sit out in my Adirondack chair any time of day and be comfortable

4.   The mums and daisies are AMAZING!!!!!

5.   Dan kissed me for the first time in the Autumn (September 29th) and then proposed to me in Autumn (October, 1988)

6.   Watching my boy play football on the weekends

7.   Bible study is in full swing again.

8.   Dan bringing me coffee in the early mornings

9.   Sipping hot tea any time of day

10.   Taking a walk out of doors and soaking up the coolness in the air

11.   The holidays are coming!!!

12.   Snuggling up with a nice afghan or blanket and reading a good book

13.   THE BAKING, GOOD GOOGLY MOO, THE BAKING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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