Aug. 25, 2008 - An Evening with the Grandparents
Oh, how much fun we have on those days! Normally a Sunday, after we have all got home from church and are sitting around waiting for someone to decide what we are all going to do.
Then what's on everybody's mind is said.
"We should go to Grandma and Grandpas."
A phone is found and a call is made to make sure the Grandparents did not have any plans of there own and if they are up to an invasion, and because they always are, we all pile into the car and make the half hour trip.
When we get there hugs are given and everyone sits down somewhere in the living room to talk small talk until someone says.
"Let's play phase ten."
Everyone agrees and the cards are brought out, a noisy game begins. Everyone trying to be funny, and everyone else laughing because they succeeded. Cries of anguish when that round is finished, and you must count up all those horrible points.
Before the game is finished the words.
"I'm hungry," are heard one, or six times and the barbeque is fired up.
The table is set and as soon as grace is said everyone sits quietly for a moment trying to be polite. Then someone says,
"pass the ketchup," and then everyone asks for everything at the same time. Napkins, hot dogs, relish, and anything else on the table you can eat.
After we have all stuffed ourselves till we can hardly talk, we go set up a badminton net, or a croquet course.
Then a lively game of one, or the other begins.
It lasts till the sun begins to slink away, then it's cleaned up and everyone troops inside.
A dessert is made and a game of farkle played.
The dessert is eaten and it's time to go. Hugs are given, and everyone piles out to the car.
As it pulls away windows are rolled down and everyone frantically waves and shouts goodbye.
Thank you Grandma and Grandpa for a whopping good time on Sunday afternoons!
• 6 Hoof Prints • Leave a Hoof Print! • Permanent Link
Aug. 21, 2008 - "What Math do you Want to do This Year?" Asks the Mother.
I spent half of my day yesterday taking a placement test for Switched on SchoolHouse.
The English one was fine, I almost enjoyed it. However I had to take a math one as well and math is really hard for me. I have tried so many different kinds of math.
Saxon, MathUSee, Aleks, and so many more. It was all the same to me, no shining moments when I realized that two plus two is four, (okay I'm not that bad) no dawning realization when I understood the principle they were trying to teach me.
After telling my Mom I didn't think the math program I was doing right now was going to work out, she decided to start Switched on SchoolHouse. Partly because that was what my younger brother was starting.
I wasn't sure about the whole thing, when Mom presented the idea I wasn't sure what I thought about it.
It was during the placement test I realized that the reason I was unsure was because everything would be on the computer. I don't know why, I'm just more a textbook kind of person. Give me a book with an explanation and the problems to solve and I'll do it.
I haven't always preferred it that way though. When I was doing Saxon I hated it. I wanted something that wasn't so textbooky.
Now I'm not just going to be doing my math on the computer, (I was doing aleks before) but everything.
Still my Mom really wants me to try it so I guess will see how it works out.
I would love to hear your thoughts on it if you have ever used it before,
Bluejane
• 4 Hoof Prints • Leave a Hoof Print! • Permanent Link
Aug. 20, 2008 - Well?
What do you think?
I'm still working on a few things, mostly things in the sidebar and such.
Let me know how it looks on your screen. For us it looks fine on all the laptops, but on the desktop the header gets all stretched out, and the borders get all messed up.
I would love to hear what you think!
Blue~jane
• 4 Hoof Prints • Leave a Hoof Print! • Permanent Link
Aug. 18, 2008 - What a Gloomy Day
Last night the lightning was going full swing with a touch of rain for company.
The thunder must have felt left out because it has started complaining this morning. So far lightning and rain have not returned to apologize for not inviting thunder to the party.
I'm hoping the rain will be nice and come say it's sorry. It is very dry and fire's will start very easily. As long as it stops for awhile later tonight when I want to ride.
Lightning should remain mean. After all it's probably the one that started the fires that rain now has to put out. What a trouble maker.
A storm is just the time to sit down and watch another episode of Murder She Wrote, the thunder will create the perfect atmosphere.
Oh wait. I forgot, school starts in earnest today.
Through the summer we have been wanting to do school, but we have just been so busy it's been half of a half hearted attempt. As I said, today it really begins.
• 2 Hoof Prints • Leave a Hoof Print! • Permanent Link
Aug. 13, 2008 - 2008 Summer Olympics
How many of you are following the Olympics?
I have been, and it's a lot of fun.
The first day of the Olympics an allowance was made in the T.V. rule. The telly was turned on and the Olympics channel found.
It was left on for almost the rest of the day as we cheered the US on.
Last count I believe America had won 14 gold metals in all, but I'm sure it's gone up. Michael Phelps has been swimming. When it's late at night and Eyebright and I want to see that shinning moment when another person wins the gold, Michael Phelps comes on screen.
It's very cool that he has set new swimming records and that he has made Olympic history by getting more gold medals then any other athlete ever, but we all know how a race is going to end when he's in it.
I was excited to catch the Equine events when I got home from riding one day. Yesterday was the last day for them. German got the gold, Australia the silver. I don't remember who got bronze, but America came in seventh. What a bummer.
Since watching the Olympics I have developed an interest in beach volleyball. Who doesn't when Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh make it look so easy!
Not to mention Todd Rogers and Phil Dalhausser.
We have also been watching the gymnastics. On the woman's team it's so hard to root for America, when the Chinese were dragged out of there homes at age three to do this.
We were rooting for both. America got silver, and China gold!
Go USA!
• 2 Hoof Prints • Leave a Hoof Print! • Permanent Link
Jul. 23, 2008 - Interesting
While Stumbleing about online, I came across a few websites that I thought were interesting, and I thought they might interest you as well. So here we go.
Maps of War, see 5,000 years of history in 90 seconds.
Artpad, show who you really are with your paint! You can see my work of art here. I've decided to call it Well Water.
Pixar How We Do It, want to know how Pixar makes movies?
I had no idea there was a International Hedgehog Association
You haven't seen a real cake till you've seen one of Mike's.
View Book.
Let me know what you think!
• 4 Hoof Prints • Leave a Hoof Print! • Permanent Link
Jul. 19, 2008 - An Extra 30 Minutes
Have any of you ever stayed in the car for an extra 30 minutes to finish the book on CD they were listening to because they thought it was almost over?
We just did, and yes the car was sitting in our driveway.
By the way I highly recommend the book The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin.
• 0 Hoof Prints • Leave a Hoof Print! • Permanent Link
Jul. 16, 2008 - I Have Returned!
Why have I not posted in so long you ask?
I just got back from a week and a half long trip to the Arlington Fly-In.
This was the second year for Eyebright and I, (we went last year with our grandparents) but it was the first year for the rest of the family.
No, I am not really interested in Airplanes, but I still have a lot of fun there just hanging out with friends and family.
It is really neat to see the planes (don't ask me what kind of planes they were!) do the stunts and things, but I must admit it's not exactly my cup of tea.
We also got to visit a few friends that we had not seen in about a year and a half. It was great to spend some time with them.
Anyway I'm back now and can get down to blogging again. I cringed when I got my sitemeter report and it said 5 people visiting a day.
I thank the ones who are still checking!
• 2 Hoof Prints • Leave a Hoof Print! • Permanent Link
Jun. 30, 2008 - When the Ink Stops Flowing...
That horrible moment when you realize the ink is fading. The t, is not as dark as the s was. The word you were writing fades into the paper, never to be seen in it's true form.
NO! You can't do this!
You direct the tip of the pen to the top corner of your paper and scribble furiously. "Stay with me!" You shout.
"Come on, you can make it!"
Next comes CPR, you shake it vigorisly, then start mouth to mouth, licking the ball point briskly and scribbling again. "You can't do this to me!"
It's no use, your forever faithful pen is gone, finished, never to be used again.
Someone pats you on the shoulder, and writes all the faster with there special little writing tool as the horror of what just happened sets in.
Then someone steps forward hand outstretched. "Here, take mine. I have two."
Your eyes water, and the tears begin to fall. "Thank you."
The school report is finished in blue ink, instead of black, and the world goes back to normal.
So it is at my house.
Moral: Never waste good pen ink.
• 7 Hoof Prints • Leave a Hoof Print! • Permanent Link
Jun. 21, 2008 - Homeschool Tag
Alison tagged me with this rather interesting tag, so here goes.
How long have you homeschooled? I have homeschooled my whole life, I started learning at home from day one!
• 2 Hoof Prints • Leave a Hoof Print! • Permanent Link
Jun. 6, 2008 - The Masters Hand
Knowing a lot of you on HSB like to play the violin and have been touched by the Masters hand I thought you might like this poem.
The Touch of the Master's Hand
by Myra Brooks Welch
'Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer
Thought is scarcely worth his while
To waste much time on the old violin,
But he held it up with a smile;
"What am I bidden, good folk?" he cried,
"Who'll start the bidding for me?
A dollar - one dollar - two, only two -
Two dollars, and who'll make it three?
Going for three" - but no -
From the room far back, a grayhaired man
Came forward and picked up the bow;
Then wiping the dust from the old violin
And tightening the loosened strings,
He played a melody pure and sweet
As a caroling angel sings.
The music ceased and the auctioneer,
With a voice that was quiet and low,
Said, "Now what am I bid for the old violin?"
And he held it up with the bow;
"A thousand dollars - and who'll make it two?
Two thousand and who'll make it three?
Three thousand once - three thousand twice - and going - and gone,"
cried he;
The people cheered, but some of them cried,
"We do not quite understand;
What changed it's worth?" Quick came the reply,
"The touch of the master's hand."
And many a man with a life out of tune,
And battered and scarred with sin,
Is auctioned cheap to a thoughtless crowd,
Much like the old violin;
A mess of pottage - a glass of wine,
A game - and he travels on;
He's going once - and going twice -
He's going - and almost gone!
But the Master comes, and the fooling crowd
Never can quite understand
The worth of a soul, and the change that's wrought
By the touch of the Master's hand.
• 9 Hoof Prints • Leave a Hoof Print! • Permanent Link
Jun. 5, 2008 - Cake Decorating!
I am so excited! Yesterday was my first cake decorating class!
I had a lot of fun, and I learned so much. We got home at 9:00 that night, and I wanted to make some frosting and practise some of the things I had learned, but we had to eat and then I was so tired I had trouble keeping my eyes open so I had to go to bed. However I will have plenty of time to make some frosting today, and see if I can make a few roses, that LOOK like roses.
Each week I will be making a cake and bringing it to the class to decorate it. Then I get to bring the finished cake home, so I'll be sure to get pictures of them and post them on my blog so everyone can see what I'm learning.
The instructor was really funny, she kept telling us that
"cake decorating is not a rocket science, and if you try something new, it will not blow up in your face."
All in all I had a ton of fun, and I can't wait till next week!
• 1 Hoof Prints • Leave a Hoof Print! • Permanent Link
May. 31, 2008 - Quick Update
Last night was Eyebright's practice for her graduation ceremony. Today is the ceremony itself.
I woke up early and could not get back to sleep so I started my day, and was ready for anything when I saw my sweet little bird laying at the bottom of his cage, dead as a door nail. Cause? Unknown.
After taking care of what needed to be taken care of, I now feel like crawling back into bed.
Maybe I should get a horse.
Yesterday I signed up for a cake decorating class, I am really excited!
Most the time when I frost a cake it turns to crumbs, so I'm really hoping this teacher can work miracles.
I would also just like to say a quick thank you to every one who did a graduation party for Eyebright! That was great!
The BBQ here at our house went really well. It did rain for almost the whole time, but everybody just came inside. That was crazy, can you imagine a small house with 90, or so people in it. You could hardly move.
Anyway, I hope to be posting more after Eyebright is done throwing her party's and marching about on stages. When our life becomes normal once again!
(Will that day ever come?)
• 2 Hoof Prints • Leave a Hoof Print! • Permanent Link
May. 24, 2008 - Happy Graduation Eyebright!
As most of you know my beloved sister Eyebright is graduating today! I think this would be a perfect place to celebrate!
Did I mention that this is also my gift to you! It comes with all the servants you need, a stable with horses. (mind if I ride for awhile?) I am also getting you all the furniture you will need to make it home, but I thought you might like to choose that. (I see a shopping spree in my near future!)
"Speech, Speech!"
I have done a lot of thinking about what I would say in this post, and I guess this is about the whole of it.
Eyebright, you mean so much to me! I am very happy for you, but I am also very sad. You and I have always been together and done the same things (except when you went to Europe and I went to Disney Land)
You have taught me so much. I know it does not seem like it, but I guess that's just because I have not put all of it into practice yet!
I have looked up to you and admired you for as long as I can remember.
I love to stay up at night and talk with you, girl talk, I know you love it too! I love to make you laugh, and no, it's not just because I like to think that I am funny!
I am always looking at you wishing I was more like you, wishing I could be as good as you!
You mean so much to me Eyebright, and I don't really think that this post shows exactly what I mean. I was reading back over it and I think it sounds really tacky and silly, but I'll just have to hope that you know what I'm talking about!
My real gift to you is a party from all of your blog friends! I hope you have great graduation, and don't go away for to long, or to soon!
Your Sissy May
Thank you to FreeFoto.com for the castle picture!
• 3 Hoof Prints • Leave a Hoof Print! • Permanent Link
May. 13, 2008 - "Were You Talking to Me?"
I have a tendency to talk to things. Almost anything, I'll talk to it.
When I'm cooking I talk to my pots and pans, bowls, and spoons. I say things like,
"well that's tasty."
"Sorry about that."
"Your really going to need a scrubbing!"
When I am gardening I talk to the plants,
"I'll water you next."
"I can't wait till you bloom this spring!"
"Your a nasty little bug'a!" (To weed)
I also talk the characters in the books, and storied I write.
"You didn't expect that turn of events did you?"
"You can't go on forever like that."
"What am I going to do with you?"
"Your not exactly what I though you would be."
I do it with the books I read too.
"You have got to be kidding me!"
"That is so cool!"
"How can you not know?"
"Turn around!"
Eyebright catches me doing it all the time, I just don't think she really knows.
The conversation goes something like this,
"You didn't expect that turn of events did you?" (Bluejane to character in book she it writing)
"What?" (Eyebright to Bluejane who is looking wickedly at notebook)
"I didn't say anything." (Bluejane says to Eyebright absentmindedly)
"You did to, I heard you." (Indignant Eyebright to not absorbed Bluejane)
"I wasn't talking to you." (Irritated Bluejane to Eyebright)
(Eyebright looks around the room)
"Who were you talking to?" (Confused Eyebright to Bluejane)
"Myself." (Bluejane to Eyebright)
I'm afraid however, I must confess the last line is a lie, for I never talk to myself, there are to many odd things in books and stories that talk to themselves. Just to name one so you get an idea, Gollum. Enough said.
It drives Eyebright nuts that I don't tell her what I said. The poor girl, I am impossible. I must drive her nuts!
Just a note, make sure you go check out the awesome contest The Backyard is having! You will have to be signed it to see it.
• 13 Hoof Prints • Leave a Hoof Print! • Permanent Link
May. 8, 2008 - Bathroom Makeover, and a Giveaway!
I read on The Homeschool Boutique's Blog, that Clan McLeod is giving away one of The Homeschool Boutique's awesome shirts!
I don't know about you, but I'm in this one!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Yesterday my Grammy called and said, "hey let's go shopping." It had been a long day and we were all tired, but my Mom said okay, and away we went.
Stopping at Michaels we found out that they still had these really cute "shoreline accents," that we had seen before. We had thought then that they would make a really cute theme for our bathroom, but decided not to get them after all. This time however, they were on sale, and we decided to go for it.
Our bathroom is really small so we only got a few of the accents, not to mention we didn't want signs that said "RELAXE" hung up in there.
Then we had to go to Lowies to get paint, because the walls in the bathroom would not go with everything.
In the end we have a table full of stuff to redo the bathroom, and a project my Mom said she would let Eyebright and I take care of. How fun!
I'll have to post pictures when it's done.
• 4 Hoof Prints • Leave a Hoof Print! • Permanent Link
May. 3, 2008 - No Really, I'm Still Alive
Does anyone know what it feels like to fall off the face of the earth? I don't believe it, or not.
I am still here. I've just not been in a writing and posting mood.
Our house is all abuzz with preparations for Eyebright's graduation party. I feel as if it has taken over my life.
The good thing, is that with the up coming party my dear Father has found many yard work jobs he needs done, by a girl trying hard to earn money so she can buy a much wanted horse.
The weather has been very odd here. I can not safely say spring has sprung, because it might snow tomorrow. One day it's 90 degrees and the next it's 30. I'm never sure what to put on in the morning.
However the flower bulbs planted last fall have sprouted and some of them even have buds by now. I can't wait till they bloom!
Well, I must apologize for such a short post, but I really can not think of another thing to say. I keep thinking of great posting material, but then I go and do something and forget all about it. I think I'm losing my mind!
• 2 Hoof Prints • Leave a Hoof Print! • Permanent Link
Apr. 24, 2008 - My Blogoversary!
Tomorrow I will have been blogging for 1 year. I can not believe I have been blogging that long, I can't believe I've been blogging at all!
One thing you don't know about me, is that before I started a blog I was completely against it. To tell you the truth I couldn't stand blogs. They drove me nuts.
Why was I like this? I was being selfish, my Mom had just started a blog so she was really excited about it. I didn't like the fact that she was on the computer and not with me. Then my sister started one. Nothing could be worse. Two of the most important people in my life were (in my thinking) devoting there life to, what was it called again? Oh yeah, homeschoolblogger.
They didn't really spend that much time on there, but it sure seemed like it to me.
At first my brother agreed with me, but alas! When left in a house full of bloggers, if not strong minded you soon start to think like them. I came home from an overnight trip to my grandparent house to find that he too had joined the life of a computer zombie.
Alright enough of that stuff. I did, after looking at HSB and talking to my Dad, (I thought he was against blogging as well) start a blog. One day in April I simple asked Mom if Eyebright could help me start one. Eyebright's jaw hit the ground and my blog was born.
Now one year later I have 93 GREAT friends, I have written 100 entries, and 476 comments, I have also received 505 comments.
I have changed my blog template 3 times. (Actually I'm thinking about changing it again)
The first template I ever had was the popular horse lovers template on HSB.
The second one,
The third
I also just started a story blog, you can look at that HERE, and I Eyebright and I have been running The Backyard for about a year. You can read the first post on my blog HERE.
I am so glad I started blogging, I have learned so much, made a ton of awesome friends, and had a blast learning how to make templates. I love to blog, and am so glad I started one!
• 12 Hoof Prints • Leave a Hoof Print! • Permanent Link
Apr. 22, 2008 - A Camping Trip
Well I thought you all might like to hear about the camping trip my family and I just got home from yesterday.
Using our new motor home we took a drive down to Shaniko, a little ghost town in Oregon. This was a little sad as we found out that almost half the town was for sale. It appeared as if everything would be closing and Shaniko would once again be a ghost town.
We stayed the night there and the next morning to a drive through quiet a few of Oregon's little towns. This would include Maupin, Kent, Grass Valley, and Moro
Here we decided that this was a very nice little town, and stayed the night. The next morning bright and early we headed off again this time visiting, Biggs, Arlington, Ione, Heppner, Pilot Rock, and stayed the night at Pendleton. The next morning we were up bright and early to go for a Pendleton Underground Tour. Sadly, we found out later that the tours were closed that day and we could not get one.
However we did get a tour at Pendleton Woolen Mills, and went to the Tamastslikt Cultural Institute.
After this we got back into town and got a bite to eat at a little place called Main Street Cafe.
From there we headed home stopping in many different little towns along the way.
I could post pictures, but I really don't want to get the camera and load the pictures onto the computer. I could say that I will post pictures of the trip later, but I probably never would. Don't worry though, we didn't get any really good pictures anyway.
The best part of coming home was when we stopped by the mailbox and I found a package addressed to ME!
It was from my SSA! She sent me a cute little photo album, a Junior Mints Lip gloss, and two awesome book marks.
To my SSA: Thank you so much for the gifts!
And so I say goodbye,
• 2 Hoof Prints • Leave a Hoof Print! • Permanent Link
Apr. 17, 2008 - My Blogoversary!
Tomorrow I will have been blogging for 1 year. I can not believe I have been blogging that long, I can't believe I've been blogging at all!
One thing you don't know about me, is that before I started a blog I was completely against it. To tell you the truth I couldn't stand blogs. They drove me nuts.
Why was I like this? I was being selfish, my Mom had just started a blog so she was really excited about it. I didn't like the fact that she was on the computer and not with me. Then my sister started one. Nothing could be worse. Two of the most important people in my life were (in my thinking) devoting there life to, what was it called again? Oh yeah, homeschoolblogger.
They didn't really spend that much time on there, but it sure seemed like it to me.
At first my brother agreed with me, but alas! When left in a house full of bloggers, if not strong minded you soon start to think like them. I came home from an overnight trip to my grandparent house to find that he too had joined the life of a computer zombie.
Alright enough of that stuff. I did, after looking at HSB and talking to my Dad, (I thought he was against blogging as well) start a blog. One day in April I simple asked Mom if Eyebright could help me start one. Eyebright's jaw hit the ground and my blog was born.
Now one year later I have 93 GREAT friends, I have written 100 entries, and 476 comments, I have also received 505 comments.
I have changed my blog template 3 times. (Actually I'm thinking about changing it again)
The first template I ever had was the popular horse lovers template on HSB.
The second one,
The third
I also just started a story blog, you can look at that HERE, and I Eyebright and I have been running The Backyard for about a year. You can read the first post on my blog HERE.
I am so glad I started blogging, I have learned so much, made a ton of awesome friends, and had a blast learning how to make templates. I love to blog, and am so glad I started one!
• 0 Hoof Prints
• Leave a Hoof Print!
• Permanent Link
Last Page | Next Page
