Roger was able to make it home this morning...took him a little longer than normal, but he made. The kiddos were still at Gramma's. We made the Overnight Coffee Cake for breakfast, then hung out for a while. A friend came over on his 4wheeler and encouraged Roger to go sledding. They took the Jeep and went to the top of the hill (huge hill, where you can see forever). They grabbed the kiddos on the way and had a great time sledding for a while. Rog took the kiddos back to Gramma's then came to get me so we could go over there. Chili for dinner and then the 'guys' and Samantha and Em all went to Monster Trucks while me, Chelle and Gramma watched Nights in Rodanthe and then Mothman Prophecies...both great movies!!
We got an email saying that church was canceled for in the morning, so the kiddos stayed at Gramma's again...Roads were still icy, so we carefully trekked home to the warmth!
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Friday, January 29, 2010
Nothing but ice...
Yes, that is all that fell from the sky today here at the house...
I woke up to the sound of ice falling outside the window at 4:30am. Since Roger had to go to the station today, I woke him up and encouraged him to go ahead and get up and head on to work. I dozed on and off until I heard from him, then went back to sleep for another hour. That's when the kiddos woke up and realized that something had fallen through the night. They were sad that it was all ice nd we couldn't go make snowmen.
They were watching the news with me and realized that all schools were closed (asked- even homeschools?). We were planning on school today, but they wanted to call gramma and see if they could go play with Chunky. She offered to come get them for the day. I did some cleaning around here, and was just being lazy!!
I had my window (curtains) open so I could see out front and watch what was falling. The people in the neighborhood spent time out on their 4wheelers and the dog laid on the bed watching all of them. She wasn't crazy about the weather and didn't spend much time out there.
Gramma kept the kiddos...not sure when I will get them back. They did get Riley signed up for baseball.
I made some 'overnight coffee cake' from the website mrbreakfast.com and it is in the fridge waiting for Rog to get home in the morning. Time to go read!
I woke up to the sound of ice falling outside the window at 4:30am. Since Roger had to go to the station today, I woke him up and encouraged him to go ahead and get up and head on to work. I dozed on and off until I heard from him, then went back to sleep for another hour. That's when the kiddos woke up and realized that something had fallen through the night. They were sad that it was all ice nd we couldn't go make snowmen.
They were watching the news with me and realized that all schools were closed (asked- even homeschools?). We were planning on school today, but they wanted to call gramma and see if they could go play with Chunky. She offered to come get them for the day. I did some cleaning around here, and was just being lazy!!
I had my window (curtains) open so I could see out front and watch what was falling. The people in the neighborhood spent time out on their 4wheelers and the dog laid on the bed watching all of them. She wasn't crazy about the weather and didn't spend much time out there.
Gramma kept the kiddos...not sure when I will get them back. They did get Riley signed up for baseball.
I made some 'overnight coffee cake' from the website mrbreakfast.com and it is in the fridge waiting for Rog to get home in the morning. Time to go read!
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Long day at the hospital
I spent pretty much all day Thursday at the hospital. My mom went in for an angioplasty and possible stint. There was a lot of waiting, for very little procedure.
She has been having some pain and numbness in her left arm, as well as some shortness of breath. She has been in and out of the doctor about it, EKG -fine; stress test- fine; ultrasound - questionable. Which was what made the angio the next step. The doc called us back after her procedure and said all was well, her heart was perfectly healthy. The first thing she says to me is - now I still gotta figure out what is causing my problems..
Rog was home with the kiddos, they went to gramma's for dinner, then took Samantha to scouts.
She has been having some pain and numbness in her left arm, as well as some shortness of breath. She has been in and out of the doctor about it, EKG -fine; stress test- fine; ultrasound - questionable. Which was what made the angio the next step. The doc called us back after her procedure and said all was well, her heart was perfectly healthy. The first thing she says to me is - now I still gotta figure out what is causing my problems..
Rog was home with the kiddos, they went to gramma's for dinner, then took Samantha to scouts.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Typical Wednesday
Today was a pretty typical day. I did my normal morning routine around here, the kiddos were on the computer while I was dealing with some Girl Scout stuff. We gathered all of our Wednesday things and headed out the door...stopped at the library, just dropped of books..no one found anything. We visited two TShirt Shops ~ our GS troop has designed a shirt, but we are having some delays moving forward with things...
Kiddos did music lessons and we just hung out until church time. Our current adult class study is Becoming a Contagious Christian. I am enjoying this study. Tonight the focus was living our life so people will want to listen to us. That people are more aware of how you act and what you do so you need to act right so people will listen. The study is taken from Matthew 5, being the salt and the light.
In our Ladies Bible Study, we are doing the Prayer of Jabez Bible Study. I mooched my book from bookmooch and it came in today, so I am excited to read into it and get started (and caught up) with this study!
Kiddos did music lessons and we just hung out until church time. Our current adult class study is Becoming a Contagious Christian. I am enjoying this study. Tonight the focus was living our life so people will want to listen to us. That people are more aware of how you act and what you do so you need to act right so people will listen. The study is taken from Matthew 5, being the salt and the light.
In our Ladies Bible Study, we are doing the Prayer of Jabez Bible Study. I mooched my book from bookmooch and it came in today, so I am excited to read into it and get started (and caught up) with this study!
CFBA: Becca by the Book by Laura Jensen Walker
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Laura Jensen Walker is an award-winning writer, popular speaker, and breast-cancer survivor who loves to touch readers and audiences with the healing power of laughter.
Born in Racine, Wisconsin (home of Western Printing and Johnson’s Wax—maker of your favorite floor care products) Laura moved to Phoenix, Arizona when she was in high school. But not being a fan of blazing heat and knowing that Uncle Sam was looking for a few good women, she enlisted in the United States Air Force shortly after graduation and spent the next five years flying a typewriter through Europe.
Her lifelong dream of writing fiction came true in Spring 2005 with the release of her first chick lit novel, Dreaming in Black & White which won the Contemporary Fiction Book of the Year from American Christian Fiction Writers. Her sophomore novel, Dreaming in Technicolor was published in Fall 2005.
Laura’s third novel, Reconstructing Natalie, chosen as the Women of Faith Novel of the Year for 2006, is the funny and poignant story of a young, single woman who gets breast cancer and how her life is reconstructed as a result. This book was born out of Laura’s cancer speaking engagements where she started meeting younger and younger women stricken with this disease—some whose husbands had left them, and others who wondered what breast cancer would do to their dating life. She wanted to write a novel that would give voice to those women. Something real. And honest. And funny.
Because although cancer isn’t funny, humor is healing.
To learn more about Laura’s latest novels, please check out her Books page.
A popular speaker and teacher at writing conferences, Laura has also been a guest on hundreds of radio and TV shows around the country including the ABC Weekend News, The 700 Club, and The Jay Thomas Morning Show.
She lives in Northern California with her Renaissance-man husband Michael, and Gracie, their piano playing dog.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Sales clerk, barista, telemarketer, sign waver...
At twenty-five, free-spirited Becca Daniels is still trying to figure out what she wants to be when she grows up. What Becca doesn’t want to be is bored. She craves the rush of a new experience, whether it’s an extreme sport, a shocking hair color, or a new guy. That’s why she quit her bookstore job, used her last bit of credit to go skydiving, and broke her leg.
And that’s why, grounded and grumpy, Becca bristles when teased by friends for being commitment-phobic. In response, Becca issues an outrageous wager—that she can sustain a three-month or twenty-five date relationship with the next guy who asks her out. When the guy turns out to be “churchy” Ben—definitely not Becca’s type—she gamely embarks on a hilarious series of dates that plunge her purple-haired, free-speaking, commitment-phobic self into the alien world of church potlucks and prayer meetings.
This irrepressible Getaway Girl will have you cheering her on as she “suffers” through her dates, gains perspective on her life’s purpose, and ultimately begins her greatest adventure of all.
If you'd like to read the first chapter of Becca By The Book, go HERE
WHAT I HAD TO SAY: When I first picked this book up, it seemed vaguely familiar...in fact, I even went back through old blog posts to make sure I haven't read and reviewed it previously...Come to find out, I hadn't read Becca by the Book, but I had read Turning the Page by Laura Jensen Walker. Both books are super cute! Becca by the Book made me think of someone in my life who has that commitment fear, so I enjoyed reading this because I thought about her while I was reading it. This is an easy, lazy Sunday afternoon read and I would definitely recommend the book!
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
To my few followers ~
and anyone else that happens upon my blog:
I am in the process of moving my old blog posts to this blog (not all of them, but a good part), so I want to say please bear with me as I get these moved over to here. I am sure it seems like a lot coming through and I apoloize for filling up your space with my old posts...hopefully I will be done soon... I didn't realize how much blog posts you can accumulate over 5 years!!!
Thanks so much!!
I am in the process of moving my old blog posts to this blog (not all of them, but a good part), so I want to say please bear with me as I get these moved over to here. I am sure it seems like a lot coming through and I apoloize for filling up your space with my old posts...hopefully I will be done soon... I didn't realize how much blog posts you can accumulate over 5 years!!!
Thanks so much!!
Monday, January 25, 2010
Windy ~ ~ ~
Man, was it COLD and W~I~N~D~Y outside today!!
We really had a boring day around here today! The kiddos completed their school work before lunch time today...with out fight! We had lunch and did some chores. Rog had a friend over and they played Guitar Hero while the kiddos played Roller Coaster Tycoon and Lego Creator on their computers. I worked on moving my old blog...slowly but surely, it is coming along. I am finding that I can delete quite a few of the old posts...some of the meme's I joined in over the years...they don't need to move!
This afternoon, I made some homemade bread to go with dinner. Rog made pork chops, green beans and macNcheese. I also made some chocolate chip muffins this afternoon...just because I was craving some!! I searched for a new recipe for the muffins and I found a new website: mrbreakfast.com. There are other things on there, but I just searched through the recipes and found many I plan on trying!! (like the overnight coffee cake - this weekend).
Rog went to the fire station for training tonight and the kiddos are playing Indiana Jones on Wii.
We really had a boring day around here today! The kiddos completed their school work before lunch time today...with out fight! We had lunch and did some chores. Rog had a friend over and they played Guitar Hero while the kiddos played Roller Coaster Tycoon and Lego Creator on their computers. I worked on moving my old blog...slowly but surely, it is coming along. I am finding that I can delete quite a few of the old posts...some of the meme's I joined in over the years...they don't need to move!
This afternoon, I made some homemade bread to go with dinner. Rog made pork chops, green beans and macNcheese. I also made some chocolate chip muffins this afternoon...just because I was craving some!! I searched for a new recipe for the muffins and I found a new website: mrbreakfast.com. There are other things on there, but I just searched through the recipes and found many I plan on trying!! (like the overnight coffee cake - this weekend).
Rog went to the fire station for training tonight and the kiddos are playing Indiana Jones on Wii.
Destination Disney: Favorite Character Meals
Do you do character meals when you visit the Disney parks? We as a family of 4 have never done the character meals.(We think they are pricey) But, when my in-laws took the kiddos back in 2006, Samantha says they did a character meal (so, the answer is all from her)
If so, which one(s) have you done? Something with Mickey at Animal Kingdom
Do you have a favorite? If so, why is it your favorite? No favorite here...
Head over to Heidi's blog and see other answer's to this week's Destination Disney!!
Homemade Bread
I have a recipe for homemade bread that I throw the ingredients into the bread machine and turn it on on manual and let it do the mixing and kneading then it goes into a loaf pan and into the oven. I make it all the time and we love it..it's so simple also!
Homemade Bread:
1 1/2 teaspoon yeast
3 cups flour
1 1/2 Tablespoon sugar
1/ 2 teaspoon salt (sometimes I use garlic salt)
2 Tablespoons butter
1 egg
1 cup milk
I place ingredients in my bread machine in this order (because my machine tells me to start with dry) and start it up. When it beeps telling me it is done, I place it in a sprayed loaf pan and throw it in the oven 350* for 30 minutes. Nothing like a slice of bread fresh from the over - covered in melting butter!!
I have tried a nut/grain bread using this...at the last cycle of my bread machine mixing, I have added sunflower seeds. pumpkins seeds, almonds and oatmeal. All were chopped pretty small. It turned out pretty good...but it is just fine plain!
Homemade Bread:
1 1/2 teaspoon yeast
3 cups flour
1 1/2 Tablespoon sugar
1/ 2 teaspoon salt (sometimes I use garlic salt)
2 Tablespoons butter
1 egg
1 cup milk
I place ingredients in my bread machine in this order (because my machine tells me to start with dry) and start it up. When it beeps telling me it is done, I place it in a sprayed loaf pan and throw it in the oven 350* for 30 minutes. Nothing like a slice of bread fresh from the over - covered in melting butter!!
I have tried a nut/grain bread using this...at the last cycle of my bread machine mixing, I have added sunflower seeds. pumpkins seeds, almonds and oatmeal. All were chopped pretty small. It turned out pretty good...but it is just fine plain!
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Homeschool Crew: Christian Keyboarding
Christian Keyboarding sent the Crew the ebook for Keyboarding for the Christian School. The ebook is to help grades K-5 learn keyboard basics. I will admit, when I first heard about it, I thought it was going to be a music program. I was wrong...it is a typing program!
Ok, here's the thing. I liked this program. Coming from someone who had no formal typing, I thought it covered what it needed to...especially for the elementary level. Here is my issue. I still do not like ebooks. They are growing on me, and if it is something I can use on the computer, I can handle it. This was one that I felt needed to be printed and I just cannot get pass that.
Like I said, I felt this was a good program and we are using it to learn the basics. Would I purchase it? No, not for my house, simply because of the way it comes. If you are into the ebooks and work with them and all, then this may be the typing program for you!
Disclaimer: This product was provided to me free of charge through the Homeschool Crew in exchange for my review. To see more reviews and opinions on Christian Keyboarding, please click the Crew link above.
Baker Publishing ~ Jenna's Cowboy by Sharon Gillenwater
Jenna's Cowboy is Book #1 in the Callahan's Of Texas Series by Sharon Gillenwater. Jenna's Cowboy was a really cute story that was easy to read. Sharon Gillenwater did a great job of making the characters lovable! I was able to pick this up and read thru it in just a couple of days. I felt that many people can relate to this because so many folks have family that are overseas and coming home from tours in Iraq. I found myself cheering Jenna on...yet at the same time, not wanting her to get hurt! I enjoy books that make me feel like I am there...this was one of those.
I recommend this for those of you who like those rainy afternoon books.
“Available January 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”
Disclaimer: This book was sent to me from Revell, Baker's Publishing Group free of charge in exchange for my review.
I recommend this for those of you who like those rainy afternoon books.
“Available January 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”
Disclaimer: This book was sent to me from Revell, Baker's Publishing Group free of charge in exchange for my review.
Destination Disney ~ Revisited ~ Question 1
Heidi over at Reviews and Reflections had a really cool meme last year...Destination Disney!! I really had fun doing it, but I feel like I let her down, because I wasn't very consistent with my posts...plus, I didn't have any photos on my desktop, they were all on the OLD laptop. We have since moved/copied the pictures to a thumb drive, so I should be able to pull them up on my new laptop and share photos this time!!
Ok, on to this week's questions!
HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU VISITED DISNEY THEME PARKS? (I'd love to know the years you've visited, and see pictures too, if you have them!) I have been to Disney parks 3 times. I went with a girl friend of mine in 1996 for a week, then we went with my parents, sister and niece in June of 2008 and with my in-laws and nephew in October 2008. IF I have pics of when I went in 96, I wouldn't have the first clue as to where they are...I am not even sure I took photos then... As for my other two trips... Here is all of us at our first park in our June trip:
WHICH PARKS HAVE YOU VISITED? (by this, I mean location, such as Florida, California, Tokyo, etc.) I went to Orlando all three times
So, if you are a Disney Freak, or even just a fan...shoot...even if you have only been once...hop over there and check out her blog and join in on this meme with us! It's a lot of fun!!
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Homeschool Crew: Kregel Publishing ~ Bertie's War
So, Kregel Publications send us a book called Bertie's War to read and review. It is a Historical Fiction, Tween book. Since my kiddos are still not quite to that tween age yet, I try to read things before handing them off to the kiddos. This one was cute! It was a pretty easy read and I felt it was good enough to hand to my kids on several counts. It was clean, I am not worrying about them picking up anything ugly from it.
So, overall, I really did like this and I am adding it to my kiddos book shelf so they can read it as well.
Disclaimer: This product was sent to me free of charge in exchange for my review.
Sweet!!
Ok...my test posts...there are 2 of them...they both came from my phone!! One in the form of an email and the other in form of a text!! With HSB, I used to send myself emails as rough drafts so I could copy/paste it to my blog...with Blogger, I can start a draft and send it straight to my posts page. I did look into pulling blogger up on my web features to see if I could just come straight to blogger and post from my phone, but it keeps giving a warning about security something...so it's not really letting me...will work on that.
Alright..I am pretty excited about being able to post straight from my phone...I was just thinking that it would help when we go out of town...but I should be able to take my laptop as well, so.....oh well....
Alright..I am pretty excited about being able to post straight from my phone...I was just thinking that it would help when we go out of town...but I should be able to take my laptop as well, so.....oh well....
Monday, January 18, 2010
Holiday Monday
Holiday Monday?? Where'd that come from?? We didn't have plans to take off school for today (yes, I know...mean mom!), but with Riley gone to Tennessee with Gramma, and Samantha was going to volunteer with Emmy...it just didn't happen!
Speaking of not happening...Samantha and Emmy didn't get to volunteer at the animal shelter as planned, back to that whole holiday thing...
Rog and I hung out and played Guitar Hero with some friends...Riley got home about 4:30 and joined in with us...
I had Bible Study at church, we have dinner there, so the boys were on their own. Samantha still wasn't home when I left, she ended up having dinner with Emmy and her mom.
Our current bible study is The Prayer of Jabez. It is broke into four weeks with a page a day. We meet every two weeks and we got almost through day one! This is going to be a super study! I am really excited about it! Thanks Nennie for keeping this going!
Speaking of not happening...Samantha and Emmy didn't get to volunteer at the animal shelter as planned, back to that whole holiday thing...
Rog and I hung out and played Guitar Hero with some friends...Riley got home about 4:30 and joined in with us...
I had Bible Study at church, we have dinner there, so the boys were on their own. Samantha still wasn't home when I left, she ended up having dinner with Emmy and her mom.
Our current bible study is The Prayer of Jabez. It is broke into four weeks with a page a day. We meet every two weeks and we got almost through day one! This is going to be a super study! I am really excited about it! Thanks Nennie for keeping this going!
Sunday, January 17, 2010
The Judas Ride by Peggy Sue Yarber
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Peggy Sue Yarber, PhD in psychology, lives in central California with her husband, two daughters, six turtles and two dogs. She works in the field of education.
The Judas Ride was inspired by her current and previous students. She has seen and experienced and seen similarities between the students and Jesus’ traitor, Judas Iscariot. She has always been fascinated with Judas. Yarber went to a catholic school when she was young and Judas was always portrayed like a mysterious rebel.
She ventures to say, “I guess he was my James Dean of the Bible. But in a good way! In the way that…he did something so wrong so that the entire world could be saved. He had to betray Jesus in order for the rest of the story. I have always wondered what it would be like to not do that one bad thing that would lead to that one great thing. So I had the Vader character sort of run through the paces of Judas.”
Redemption and reality are the two distinguishing features about Yarber’s writing. Not all teens find redemption in The Judas Ride. Yarber considered trying to show the negative outcomes as much as the positive. She wasn’t thinking in terms of positive and negative but she did try to balance the two sides. Yarber says she often sees people daily that , “…have even more screwed up lives than these characters.” Yarber admits sometimes there is not an ending to the madness unless someone dies and then even after the death the ripples still linger. She has written another novel TARE and a children’s book Rocketships to Heaven and the SOS Fuel Station. She loves to run, read, shoot guns and watch her daughters play soccer.
The Judas Ride was inspired by her current and previous students. She has seen and experienced and seen similarities between the students and Jesus’ traitor, Judas Iscariot. She has always been fascinated with Judas. Yarber went to a catholic school when she was young and Judas was always portrayed like a mysterious rebel.
She ventures to say, “I guess he was my James Dean of the Bible. But in a good way! In the way that…he did something so wrong so that the entire world could be saved. He had to betray Jesus in order for the rest of the story. I have always wondered what it would be like to not do that one bad thing that would lead to that one great thing. So I had the Vader character sort of run through the paces of Judas.”
Redemption and reality are the two distinguishing features about Yarber’s writing. Not all teens find redemption in The Judas Ride. Yarber considered trying to show the negative outcomes as much as the positive. She wasn’t thinking in terms of positive and negative but she did try to balance the two sides. Yarber says she often sees people daily that , “…have even more screwed up lives than these characters.” Yarber admits sometimes there is not an ending to the madness unless someone dies and then even after the death the ripples still linger. She has written another novel TARE and a children’s book Rocketships to Heaven and the SOS Fuel Station. She loves to run, read, shoot guns and watch her daughters play soccer.
ABOUT THE BOOK
If you would like to read the first chapter of The Judas Ride, go HERE
WHAT I HAVE TO SAY: wOw ~ I am not sure what to say about this book. I liked it ok, but it was really different. It didn't take me long to get into it or to read it once I did pick it up! I really enjoy books that keep my attention...and this one did.... Not sure why, the characters were interesting, to say the least. This was a book that you had to read all the way to the end to make all the pieces fit together.
Overall, I did like the book, and I would recommend it to adult readers - I don't think it's something for the teens to be reading...just my feel about that.
The Choice by Suzanne Woods Fisher
I recently read Amish Peace by Suzanne Woods Fisher. It was non-fiction, which is not my top choices for reading, but I enjoyed it.
The Choice was a fiction book, it is the first book in a series of Lancaster County Secrets. This was one of those Sunday afternoon reads...but I had to drag it out. It was a really easy read, there were quite a few *main* characters, but I didn't have any problems keeping them separate. I do have to say ~ I don't think I have ever cried during a book as much as I did this one. I was able to *be there* and felt like I knew the characters.
I would definitely recommend this one for a lazy afternoon read. I hope I am reading the word series correct and there will be more! The end did kinda leave ya hanging!!
Available January 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group
The Choice was a fiction book, it is the first book in a series of Lancaster County Secrets. This was one of those Sunday afternoon reads...but I had to drag it out. It was a really easy read, there were quite a few *main* characters, but I didn't have any problems keeping them separate. I do have to say ~ I don't think I have ever cried during a book as much as I did this one. I was able to *be there* and felt like I knew the characters.
I would definitely recommend this one for a lazy afternoon read. I hope I am reading the word series correct and there will be more! The end did kinda leave ya hanging!!
Available January 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Girl Scouts ALL DAY LONG!!!
What a LONG day!! I am eXhausted!!!!!
I woke Samantha and Emmy up at 5:30. They got up, dressed, ate, primped and such. Em's mom brought her lunch and the rest of her stuff over and helped me load the car and we headed to the church!
All my girls were there and ready to go! We got lunches packed, they drew straws and we got them settled and we hit the road at 6:36AM (just a few minutes off of what my aim was!) Fayetteville is 3.5 hours from here...5 pre-teen girls singing Hannah Montana songs that they don't know all the words to made it even longer!!
We arrived at Walton Arts Center right on time. They started the girls with some silly *get to know you* type activities that taught them about being on stage. The girls were then treated to a live performance of A Year with Frog and Toad (which was SUPER CUTE, by the way)! After a quick break for lunch, the girls got to learn one of the songs/dance routines that Frog and Toad performed during the show. Really cute and the girls had so much fun! Kassi and Melissa at Walton Arts Studio in Fayetteville are awesome!! If you ever get a chance to take a class with them, please do so! They were great!
The ride home was an even longer 3 and half hours...they were all so tired, they were all so LOUD, I was very tired and to top it off, it was foggy and raining! We survived the ride without stopping and putting folks out and minimal tears shed (by the girls, not me)!
Emmy came home with us to spend the night again. Her mom met us at the house with pizza and cookies...The girls joined in with Rog and Billy playing Guitar Hero ~ Emmy ROCKS on the drums!! They played Wii for a while, then headed to Samantha's room to play for a while, then right at bedtime, they finished up a few songs with the guys.
They are all headed to bed....along with me....I am so tired...and we have church in the morning!
I woke Samantha and Emmy up at 5:30. They got up, dressed, ate, primped and such. Em's mom brought her lunch and the rest of her stuff over and helped me load the car and we headed to the church!
All my girls were there and ready to go! We got lunches packed, they drew straws and we got them settled and we hit the road at 6:36AM (just a few minutes off of what my aim was!) Fayetteville is 3.5 hours from here...5 pre-teen girls singing Hannah Montana songs that they don't know all the words to made it even longer!!
We arrived at Walton Arts Center right on time. They started the girls with some silly *get to know you* type activities that taught them about being on stage. The girls were then treated to a live performance of A Year with Frog and Toad (which was SUPER CUTE, by the way)! After a quick break for lunch, the girls got to learn one of the songs/dance routines that Frog and Toad performed during the show. Really cute and the girls had so much fun! Kassi and Melissa at Walton Arts Studio in Fayetteville are awesome!! If you ever get a chance to take a class with them, please do so! They were great!
The ride home was an even longer 3 and half hours...they were all so tired, they were all so LOUD, I was very tired and to top it off, it was foggy and raining! We survived the ride without stopping and putting folks out and minimal tears shed (by the girls, not me)!
Emmy came home with us to spend the night again. Her mom met us at the house with pizza and cookies...The girls joined in with Rog and Billy playing Guitar Hero ~ Emmy ROCKS on the drums!! They played Wii for a while, then headed to Samantha's room to play for a while, then right at bedtime, they finished up a few songs with the guys.
They are all headed to bed....along with me....I am so tired...and we have church in the morning!
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Wednesday Lessons..
Kiddos got up at a decent time today and we got quite a bit accomplished before we left out for our errands.
We have started learning about insects in science, so they have enjoyed reading our science book and looking thru the books we checked out last week. We ended up with some neat-o ones!! Eyewitness Books ~ Insects (which are always cool- not matter what the subject!); Simon and Schuster Children's Guide to Insects and Spiders; Young Naturalist's Handbook Insect-lo-pedia by Matthew Reinhart; The Insect Class by Marc Zabludoff. The kiddos have been pretty engrossed in these since last week...they are all pretty cool!! We have only been reading about bugs for now though, since the temps have been so cold, we haven't been seeing many bugs! There are tons of fun activities in the book that we plan on working our way through when the creatures start creeping again!
We had a few errands to run while we were out. Samantha's piano teacher told me that she is getting very good at reading her notes and music! Yay!! I am so excited that she is loving music so much...I have to tell her sometimes - get off the piano!! gotta love that!! Riley's music teacher wasn't feeling great this week, but he did take the time to look at Granpa's guitar that he bought years ago in Taiwan or Thailand or somewhere.
Kiddos went to church for dinner ~ they had potato soup and grilled cheese! Mom picked them up from church and took them home to spend the night with her. The adult class started a new lesson called The Contagious Christian. I think it is going to be a good lesson ~ about spreading the word and sharing our faith. Bro P told us not to worry if we *didn't know how* (I'm one of those) that by the end of the lesson, we would feel confident in it!!
Rog and some friends were playing Guitar Hero when I headed out, but when I got back, they had taken off for bowling and pizza...He just buzzed me and said they were headed home...I am tired, maybe I will still be awake when he gets home!
We have started learning about insects in science, so they have enjoyed reading our science book and looking thru the books we checked out last week. We ended up with some neat-o ones!! Eyewitness Books ~ Insects (which are always cool- not matter what the subject!); Simon and Schuster Children's Guide to Insects and Spiders; Young Naturalist's Handbook Insect-lo-pedia by Matthew Reinhart; The Insect Class by Marc Zabludoff. The kiddos have been pretty engrossed in these since last week...they are all pretty cool!! We have only been reading about bugs for now though, since the temps have been so cold, we haven't been seeing many bugs! There are tons of fun activities in the book that we plan on working our way through when the creatures start creeping again!
We had a few errands to run while we were out. Samantha's piano teacher told me that she is getting very good at reading her notes and music! Yay!! I am so excited that she is loving music so much...I have to tell her sometimes - get off the piano!! gotta love that!! Riley's music teacher wasn't feeling great this week, but he did take the time to look at Granpa's guitar that he bought years ago in Taiwan or Thailand or somewhere.
Kiddos went to church for dinner ~ they had potato soup and grilled cheese! Mom picked them up from church and took them home to spend the night with her. The adult class started a new lesson called The Contagious Christian. I think it is going to be a good lesson ~ about spreading the word and sharing our faith. Bro P told us not to worry if we *didn't know how* (I'm one of those) that by the end of the lesson, we would feel confident in it!!
Rog and some friends were playing Guitar Hero when I headed out, but when I got back, they had taken off for bowling and pizza...He just buzzed me and said they were headed home...I am tired, maybe I will still be awake when he gets home!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Monday, January 11, 2010
Plain ol' Monday...
Today was plain and simple around here. Rog was at the station and we had no plans for the day or the evening. We moved slow this morning, but we did get started on school work before lunch time. In fact, despite our slow start, we were able to accomplish quite a bit before lunch. The kiddos took a lunch break and had some free time, I had some lunch and read for a bit. We jumped right back into schooling. We were interuppted by an important phone call, and it took us some time to get back in the swing of where we were...but we finished with plenty of time to spare!
Dinner was chicken and dumplings. After dinner, the kiddos played cars in Samantha's room and I finished reading my book. They both hit the bed pretty quickly tonight, so I am headed there myself.
Dinner was chicken and dumplings. After dinner, the kiddos played cars in Samantha's room and I finished reading my book. They both hit the bed pretty quickly tonight, so I am headed there myself.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
It's still cold out...
but it's warming up. It got all the way up to 32 today!! Heat wave considering it has been 15 or so!
Rog got up way early and went duck hunting with some friends. I woke up as he was leaving and had trouble getting back to sleep. Since I was up, I played around on the computer, moved some more of my posts, answered some emails, chatted with a friend until time to wake the kiddos for church. Service was nice, but I didn't take too many notes today...
After church, we came home to have some lunch, then Samantha and I had to head back out for Cookies and Milk with the Mayor. We were doing a promotion to kick off cookie sales, got some media attention...one news crew and a paper were there! The girls had a lot of fun and enjoyed chatting with the mayor.
After our event, we headed home to grab Rog. Ry had already gone to my parents house with them earlier, but we were headed there for dinner. Dad made tacos with all the fixin's ~ always a hit, since it is all of our faves!
There were no games tonight ~ Chelle had to head out and meet Em's dad to pick up her medicine and Rog was tired from being up all day, so it was home to bed for everyone.
**The girls did make the 10 o'clock news!!
Rog got up way early and went duck hunting with some friends. I woke up as he was leaving and had trouble getting back to sleep. Since I was up, I played around on the computer, moved some more of my posts, answered some emails, chatted with a friend until time to wake the kiddos for church. Service was nice, but I didn't take too many notes today...
After church, we came home to have some lunch, then Samantha and I had to head back out for Cookies and Milk with the Mayor. We were doing a promotion to kick off cookie sales, got some media attention...one news crew and a paper were there! The girls had a lot of fun and enjoyed chatting with the mayor.
After our event, we headed home to grab Rog. Ry had already gone to my parents house with them earlier, but we were headed there for dinner. Dad made tacos with all the fixin's ~ always a hit, since it is all of our faves!
There were no games tonight ~ Chelle had to head out and meet Em's dad to pick up her medicine and Rog was tired from being up all day, so it was home to bed for everyone.
**The girls did make the 10 o'clock news!!
Mini Cinnamon Rolls
These are quick, simple and turn out yummy!!
Mini Cinnamon Rolls
Refrigerated Crescent Rolls
butter
cinnamon
sugar
brown sugar
pecans
Roll out your crescent rolls, I use seamless, but if you have the perforated kind, roll them out where they are mushed together. Spread butter on the dough, cover with cinnamon, sugar, brown sugar and pecans (we crushed ours pretty fine, since the rolls are so small). Roll up dough from long side and cut into 1 inch pieces. Bake at 350 for about 20 minutes.
Mini Cinnamon Rolls
Refrigerated Crescent Rolls
butter
cinnamon
sugar
brown sugar
pecans
Roll out your crescent rolls, I use seamless, but if you have the perforated kind, roll them out where they are mushed together. Spread butter on the dough, cover with cinnamon, sugar, brown sugar and pecans (we crushed ours pretty fine, since the rolls are so small). Roll up dough from long side and cut into 1 inch pieces. Bake at 350 for about 20 minutes.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Simple Saturday
Rog came home from work and went back to bed, so we all slept in this morning. When we got up, we made some Mini Cinnamon Rolls for breakfast. While those were cooking, Rog, Ry and I played some Band Hero (Samanth was still asleep ~ but we woke her up playing). Breakfast was really good ~ it had been a while since we had made those, and we forgot how easy and yummy those were!
After breakfast, we finished up the play list, then headed out to do some errands.We hit Wal-Mart for me a computer bag, and a couple of other things we needed. I tried to go to Avenue, but they have closed!! We had to get a new water filter for the fridge, the kiddos had Toys R Us gift certificates they *had* to use and we had to run by Petco to get some things to help with trainging Hershey. (We are planning to take her to the lake this summer, but I want to be conifdent that she will come to me when called ~ so we will be working with her, starting in the backyard, then moving to the front on a 25foot lead.)
Back home, Rog had a friend over and they played some more Band Hero, until time to head to the in-laws for dinner.My mother-in-law fixed Roger and I a birthday dinner ~ pork chops, roasted potatoes, broccolli, spinach salad, corn on the cob ~ really good dinner! Then, after cake, the boys (Rog and his brother) once again played Band Hero (I think Rog is addicted to it).
It was cold coming home ~ my car was reading 17*! ~ brrr!!
After breakfast, we finished up the play list, then headed out to do some errands.We hit Wal-Mart for me a computer bag, and a couple of other things we needed. I tried to go to Avenue, but they have closed!! We had to get a new water filter for the fridge, the kiddos had Toys R Us gift certificates they *had* to use and we had to run by Petco to get some things to help with trainging Hershey. (We are planning to take her to the lake this summer, but I want to be conifdent that she will come to me when called ~ so we will be working with her, starting in the backyard, then moving to the front on a 25foot lead.)
Back home, Rog had a friend over and they played some more Band Hero, until time to head to the in-laws for dinner.My mother-in-law fixed Roger and I a birthday dinner ~ pork chops, roasted potatoes, broccolli, spinach salad, corn on the cob ~ really good dinner! Then, after cake, the boys (Rog and his brother) once again played Band Hero (I think Rog is addicted to it).
It was cold coming home ~ my car was reading 17*! ~ brrr!!
Friday, January 8, 2010
Love Finds You in Holiday, FL by Sandra Bricker
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
For more than a decade, Author Sandra D. Bricker lived in Los Angeles. While writing in every spare moment, she worked as a personal assistantand publicist to some of daytime television's hottest stars. When her mother became ill in Florida, she walked away from that segment of her life and moved across the country to take on a new role: Caregiver.
One of Sandie's passions revolves around the rights of animals. She's been involved in fundraising for Lost Angels Animal Rescue for several years now; in fact, a portion of the proceeds of Love Finds You in Holiday, Florida will go to help the non-profit group with their expenses. And Lost Angels paid her back in a big way: They brought a free-spirited Collie named Sophie into her life after the loss of her 15-year companion Caleb.
It was her 8th novel that opened the door to finding her way as a writer.
In Sandie's words: "I guess most people would see my career as a publicist as a sort of dream job. But giving it up turned out to be the best thing that could have happened to me!" she declares. "Not only was I given the gift of getting to know my mother as an adult woman before she passed away, but I was also afforded the blessing of being able to focus completely on my dream of a writing career. I'm a Christian woman, first and foremost, so it was a bit of a dream-come-true when Summerside Press chose me as one of two authors to launch their new Love Finds You line."
ABOUT THE BOOK
Lawyer Cassie Constantine has no plans to stay in Florida. She's here just long enough to sell her late husbands vacation house, a tacky bungalow she's always despised then she'll hightail it back to her gracious Boston brownstone.But the place needs more work than Cassie bargained for. What's more, her widow status is like a target on her back and the elderly matchmakers around town manage to sidetrack her mission at every turn.
Holiday is a landmine of golf tournaments, ballroom dancing competitions, shuffleboard and day trips. But the biggest obstacle of all? Richard Dillon, the stuffed shirt she's paired with on the dance floor.
Cassie had always considered herself uptight but Richard won't take a walk on the beach without his socks and shoes! There's one little problem he makes her heart beat faster than the rhythm of the quickstep. Can Cassie and Richard let loose long enough to have a little fun?
If you would like to read the prologue and first chapter of Love Finds You in Holiday, Florida, go HERE.
Watch the trailer:
WHAT I HAVE TO SAY: This was a really cute story! At first, I was thinking 'this is to obvious - the title seems to give it away', but in a way, it really doesn't. The characters were easy to like, they were fun. Holiday, Fl is a book I would say grab for a quick weekend read!! It was an easy read, but really well written!
Friday's feelings...
I still have been feeling rather UGH... I think I am finally through with the cold/cough that I have had. I think Samantha is over her also. As for Ry, I will let ya know in the morning...he went to bed, on his own, not feeling well. His eyes are better though, so at least we are moving forward.
We took a semi-sick day. Things weren't as stressed. We did lots of reading...spent lots of time laying in my bed...we got everything accomplished for the week. I was so glad to get back in routine (in case you didn't notice by the titles of the rest of my posts from this week), then the week really seemed crazy at the same time...
Since Ry had pink eye, they decided he should be quarantined at home and couldn't go visit with Gramma. So, we had to make alternate plans for Samantha and her Girl Scout Cookie Rally. I thought I was going to have to pawn her off on one of my other moms, but Gramma stepped up and took her. Ry and I hung out here and watched some Food Network, and he took a bath. Samantha and Gramma said they had a good time at the Rally, so that's what counts!
The temperature here is being crazy...like everywhere else I suppose...record lows tonight. They are calling for the low to be 7 ~ that's in the city where they are...we're usually a few degrees cooler than they are...we pulled out all the blankets for tonight!!
I have been working on moving my posts over to here, so I apologize if I am on your feeder...only 1100 more to go :) ~ bear with me please, it will be over soon.
We took a semi-sick day. Things weren't as stressed. We did lots of reading...spent lots of time laying in my bed...we got everything accomplished for the week. I was so glad to get back in routine (in case you didn't notice by the titles of the rest of my posts from this week), then the week really seemed crazy at the same time...
Since Ry had pink eye, they decided he should be quarantined at home and couldn't go visit with Gramma. So, we had to make alternate plans for Samantha and her Girl Scout Cookie Rally. I thought I was going to have to pawn her off on one of my other moms, but Gramma stepped up and took her. Ry and I hung out here and watched some Food Network, and he took a bath. Samantha and Gramma said they had a good time at the Rally, so that's what counts!
The temperature here is being crazy...like everywhere else I suppose...record lows tonight. They are calling for the low to be 7 ~ that's in the city where they are...we're usually a few degrees cooler than they are...we pulled out all the blankets for tonight!!
I have been working on moving my posts over to here, so I apologize if I am on your feeder...only 1100 more to go :) ~ bear with me please, it will be over soon.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Sick of being sick..
With us being home all the time, we aren't as *exposed* to germs as much as everyone else, so we rarely get sick. For some reason, it is hitting us this year and we can't seem to kick it. Nothing major, just head/chest colds and coughs that we can't seem to get rid of. I even felt bad enough that I missed our Girl Scout meeting tonight. Will be glad when all of this is outta here!
Today, Riley's eye was still yuchy, so I called the doc and got him in first thing. He said those dreaded words that we knew were coming...Pink Eye... so, he gave him drops, with plenty of refills for when the rest of us end up with it, and sent us on our way. I did think to ask him what should we be doing about our colds - he said keep on with the OTC stuff, so that is where we stand with that.
I feel like I should have a nursing degree with all the meds I am passing out here...hopefully it won't be much longer and we can put them all back in the cabinet where they belong.
We were able to at least make it through our math work today..but that is it. When we got home from the doc, Rog has a fire going, so we piled in there and did math, then we played Guitar Hero until dinner time. Rog made burgers for dinner, then they went back to playing, with one of Rog's friends over, while I curled in the chair and watched them.
It's cold, and I am ready for my meds, so I am headed to bed! As soon as I dispense the last round of meds for the troops...
Today, Riley's eye was still yuchy, so I called the doc and got him in first thing. He said those dreaded words that we knew were coming...Pink Eye... so, he gave him drops, with plenty of refills for when the rest of us end up with it, and sent us on our way. I did think to ask him what should we be doing about our colds - he said keep on with the OTC stuff, so that is where we stand with that.
I feel like I should have a nursing degree with all the meds I am passing out here...hopefully it won't be much longer and we can put them all back in the cabinet where they belong.
We were able to at least make it through our math work today..but that is it. When we got home from the doc, Rog has a fire going, so we piled in there and did math, then we played Guitar Hero until dinner time. Rog made burgers for dinner, then they went back to playing, with one of Rog's friends over, while I curled in the chair and watched them.
It's cold, and I am ready for my meds, so I am headed to bed! As soon as I dispense the last round of meds for the troops...
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Back into our routine!
Wednesday's our my *running* day. The kiddos have music lessons, so we work all of our errands into this one day - so we aren't out running around the rest of the week (as much)!
Since they are calling for snow, we opted for the grocery store FIRST today...we decided that it was cool enough, err.. COLD enough to keep the groceries in the car until we got home.
We actually hit the library first. I picked up a few books on insects since we are to that point in our science books and Italy since my girl scout girls will be hosting Italy for their Thinking Day booth. Ry searched for rescue miners and actually found one book, and seemed to be happy with that. Samantha found an American Girl Series about Julie so she was happy with that choice.
From there, we hit the grocery store. I am trying hard to save on our grocery bill this year. I am even one of those who will go to different stores to get the best deal...I have a few sites that I play around on that help me with this. I saved $8 with coupons this week. I strive to be one of those women who buy $100 worth of groceries and only pays $.25 for it... hmmm...maybe one of these days...
The kiddos were glad to be back on track with music lessons. It was nice to be able to head straight home from music lessons, instead of still having to stop and grab groceries.
The kiddos were back on track with church tonight ~ they had pizza there for dinner. I had picked up a rotisserie chicken and Rog and I had chicken - me chicken salad sandwich and he had salad with chicken on it. Yummo!
My last outing for the day was our Leader's Meeting. I wasn't really up to going, but I needed to pick up some things for this weekend. I got a call from a friend at church while I was at the meeting - she told me that Ry looks like he has pink eye! WHAT?!?! He was fine just 2 hours ago when I dropped him off...
When I got home...yep...looks like pink eye to me...what fun...guess I know what we will be doing tomorrow!
Since they are calling for snow, we opted for the grocery store FIRST today...we decided that it was cool enough, err.. COLD enough to keep the groceries in the car until we got home.
We actually hit the library first. I picked up a few books on insects since we are to that point in our science books and Italy since my girl scout girls will be hosting Italy for their Thinking Day booth. Ry searched for rescue miners and actually found one book, and seemed to be happy with that. Samantha found an American Girl Series about Julie so she was happy with that choice.
From there, we hit the grocery store. I am trying hard to save on our grocery bill this year. I am even one of those who will go to different stores to get the best deal...I have a few sites that I play around on that help me with this. I saved $8 with coupons this week. I strive to be one of those women who buy $100 worth of groceries and only pays $.25 for it... hmmm...maybe one of these days...
The kiddos were glad to be back on track with music lessons. It was nice to be able to head straight home from music lessons, instead of still having to stop and grab groceries.
The kiddos were back on track with church tonight ~ they had pizza there for dinner. I had picked up a rotisserie chicken and Rog and I had chicken - me chicken salad sandwich and he had salad with chicken on it. Yummo!
My last outing for the day was our Leader's Meeting. I wasn't really up to going, but I needed to pick up some things for this weekend. I got a call from a friend at church while I was at the meeting - she told me that Ry looks like he has pink eye! WHAT?!?! He was fine just 2 hours ago when I dropped him off...
When I got home...yep...looks like pink eye to me...what fun...guess I know what we will be doing tomorrow!
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Trying to stay well...
We had a typical Tuesday around here...school work and hanging out. We are all fighting sicklies around here, so we stayed in...yep...missed Boy Scouts after a 2 week break. We will get with someone and figure out what we missed. We have pinewood derby coming soon... so we need to find out the info on that! Ry hasn't decided what he wants his car to look like this year...he said a guitar, but Rog wasn't sure how we would pull that one off. We will have to do some searching to see what idea he likes.
Any suggestions out there? Has your children ever participated in a Pinewood Derby?
Riley has participated in 3 of them, and Samantha was able to do the siblings race in the past 2. Last year, the service unit for the girl scouts started a race. Samantha was able to race in that one as well. They really enjoy making the cars and of course they have fun racing them.
In the past, Riley has made a car that looks like 'Lighten McQueen' and one year he made it navy blue and 'bear scout' related. I can't remember the other one he has... Samantha has make a ballerina slipper and a piano. Looking forward to seeing what they come up with this year.
Any suggestions out there? Has your children ever participated in a Pinewood Derby?
Riley has participated in 3 of them, and Samantha was able to do the siblings race in the past 2. Last year, the service unit for the girl scouts started a race. Samantha was able to race in that one as well. They really enjoy making the cars and of course they have fun racing them.
In the past, Riley has made a car that looks like 'Lighten McQueen' and one year he made it navy blue and 'bear scout' related. I can't remember the other one he has... Samantha has make a ballerina slipper and a piano. Looking forward to seeing what they come up with this year.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Back to routine...on a snow day??
We were so glad to get back on track today!! Even the kiddos were! Rog got up super early and went duck hunting. I got up with him and turned on the news because it ended up snowing (flurries) all day yesterday and there was a layer on the street. I was curious if the schools were going to close about it. They did. Once Rog left, I went back to sleep and was woke up to a very excited little boy a little after 8am. He was sure excited about the half inch of snow on the ground. He and I got up and moving slowly...
Finally at 10, I had him wake Samantha up to the news of the snow so she could eat and we could get started on school work. She was very cooperative considering she was woke up. We breezed through school work, even trying a couple of new things. We stopped for lunch and then I sent them outside for a quick run in the snow. Once they came in, we took the ornaments off the tree (well, they did while I read to them) and got the last of the Christmas stuff down and out of here! The rest of the afternoon was spent playing around trying to get this new blog figured out.
We were supposed to have Ladies Bible Study tonight, but due to the weather it was canceled. I was kinda glad that it was canceled- I really wanted to go, but I am trying to fight getting sick and didn't need to go expose anyone..so that worked out for me...
Dinner was open-faced roast beef sandwiches and potato pancakes. Rog went to the fire station and the kiddos and I hung out here. Samantha is getting over a slight sickness and Riley is trying to catch one, so they both went to bed with medicine.
Finally at 10, I had him wake Samantha up to the news of the snow so she could eat and we could get started on school work. She was very cooperative considering she was woke up. We breezed through school work, even trying a couple of new things. We stopped for lunch and then I sent them outside for a quick run in the snow. Once they came in, we took the ornaments off the tree (well, they did while I read to them) and got the last of the Christmas stuff down and out of here! The rest of the afternoon was spent playing around trying to get this new blog figured out.
We were supposed to have Ladies Bible Study tonight, but due to the weather it was canceled. I was kinda glad that it was canceled- I really wanted to go, but I am trying to fight getting sick and didn't need to go expose anyone..so that worked out for me...
Dinner was open-faced roast beef sandwiches and potato pancakes. Rog went to the fire station and the kiddos and I hung out here. Samantha is getting over a slight sickness and Riley is trying to catch one, so they both went to bed with medicine.
The Silent Governess by Julie Klassen
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Julie says: My background is in advertising and marketing, but I am blessed with a dream job—working as an editor of Christian fiction. I have been writing since childhood, but Lady of Milkweed Manor was my first novel. It was a finalist for a Christy Award and won second place in the Inspirational Reader's Choice Awards. My second novel, The Apothecary's Daughter, was a finalist in the ACFW Book of the Year awards. I am currently writing one novel a year.I graduated from the University of Illinois and enjoy travel, research, BBC period dramas, long hikes, short naps, and coffee with friends.
My husband and I have two sons and live near St. Paul, Minnesota.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Olivia Keene is fleeing her own secret. She never intended to overhear his.
But now that she has, what is Lord Bradley to do with her? He cannot let her go, for were the truth to get out, he would lose everything--his reputation, his inheritance, his very home.
He gives Miss Keene little choice but to accept a post at Brightwell Court, where he can make certain she does not spread what she heard. Keeping an eye on the young woman as she cares for the children, he finds himself drawn to her, even as he struggles against the growing attraction. The clever Miss Keene is definitely hiding something.
Moving, mysterious, and romantic, The Silent Governess takes readers inside the intriguing life of a nineteenth-century governess in an English manor house where all is not as it appears.
If you would like to read the prologue and first chapter of The Silent Governess, go HERE. You can also sign up as a Follower when you get to that page, and get announcements of the first chapters for all the great books we tour!
WHAT I HAVE TO SAY: I really did like this book! I enjoyed reading something that took me more than just a day or two to read. I liked the main character, Olivia, and I really enjoyed not being able to *guess* at what was about to happen next. I have read so many books that are predictable, but this one wasn't. It was a good long read. I would recommend this one to anyone to read, and I look forward to reading more by Julie Klassen.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Sunday ~ Cold Cold Sunday
Boy it was COLD today!
I woke up feeling a bit ugh!, and rolled over to go back to sleep. Didn't take long! I slept pretty good for another couple hours, then woke up and realized it was time to get ready for church. The kiddos were still at Gramma's, even though they didn't go to the deer woods for youth hunt. Rog and I went to church with out them. It was spitting snow/sleet when we left out. We had a guest pastor, he was the founder of our church and has been a pastor for 36 years. I love hearing him speak...he seriously has the Bible memorized from cover to cover and it is awesome to hear him.
When we left, the snow had stopped, but it was still cold. Rog started me a fire and then he took down the Christmas lights off the house while I worked on laundry.
There was a Fibromyalgia Support Group meeting at a church not far from here, so my mom and I decided to check that out. It was only the 2nd one, so it was mainly introductions. Next month, we are going to start a bible study...blank on the name right now...for those with chronic illness. I am actually looking forward to it. It was nice knowing that I'm not the *only one* that feels like I do!
Dinner and games were supposed to be at Chelle's - since she wasn't feeling great, we went to mom's instead. Just a friendly game of Nutsy and then we all headed home fairly early. Not everyone felt that great and all the kiddos have school tomorrow!
I woke up feeling a bit ugh!, and rolled over to go back to sleep. Didn't take long! I slept pretty good for another couple hours, then woke up and realized it was time to get ready for church. The kiddos were still at Gramma's, even though they didn't go to the deer woods for youth hunt. Rog and I went to church with out them. It was spitting snow/sleet when we left out. We had a guest pastor, he was the founder of our church and has been a pastor for 36 years. I love hearing him speak...he seriously has the Bible memorized from cover to cover and it is awesome to hear him.
When we left, the snow had stopped, but it was still cold. Rog started me a fire and then he took down the Christmas lights off the house while I worked on laundry.
There was a Fibromyalgia Support Group meeting at a church not far from here, so my mom and I decided to check that out. It was only the 2nd one, so it was mainly introductions. Next month, we are going to start a bible study...blank on the name right now...for those with chronic illness. I am actually looking forward to it. It was nice knowing that I'm not the *only one* that feels like I do!
Dinner and games were supposed to be at Chelle's - since she wasn't feeling great, we went to mom's instead. Just a friendly game of Nutsy and then we all headed home fairly early. Not everyone felt that great and all the kiddos have school tomorrow!
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Just jumping in here!
So I think that with the new year will bring other new things, which is why I am going to make the change to blogging here on blogger and spend this year working away from my blog at Homeschool Blogger. I will continue at HSB for a bit longer, because of my commitment to TOS Homeschool Crew and I think it will be easier to just leave that there, since we are half way thru the crew year. I will double post and add them here as well, so in case I happen to pick up any readers here! This will aslo give some time to get things switched over with the other places I review with, mainly my book connections!! (But I don't want to share a plain, ugly blog with them)!
I want to take some time and learn some things about blogger and also need to figure out my layout here - not to mention, I think I may have a follower or two that I would like to let know about my move...gotta figure out how to do that though, because I have a follower that I don't want to know about my move!
So, please bear with me until I get this thing up and going...I have 4+ years at HSB and I am not sure how things will move, or if I even need to move things? Not sure what I should do with those posts...I guess if I want to keep the information, I should move them. Can I back date posts here? I looked at the posting options, but not sure how they work...something to play around with. Anyone have any hints/helpers on moving my *home decor* from my other blog? I don't want to change it...it just describes us perfectly...just not sure how to make it look and feel homey here! (Doesn't help that I am on a new laptop and am learning it as well)!
I want to take some time and learn some things about blogger and also need to figure out my layout here - not to mention, I think I may have a follower or two that I would like to let know about my move...gotta figure out how to do that though, because I have a follower that I don't want to know about my move!
So, please bear with me until I get this thing up and going...I have 4+ years at HSB and I am not sure how things will move, or if I even need to move things? Not sure what I should do with those posts...I guess if I want to keep the information, I should move them. Can I back date posts here? I looked at the posting options, but not sure how they work...something to play around with. Anyone have any hints/helpers on moving my *home decor* from my other blog? I don't want to change it...it just describes us perfectly...just not sure how to make it look and feel homey here! (Doesn't help that I am on a new laptop and am learning it as well)!
Friday, January 1, 2010
The Mountain Beyond by Terry Miller
WHAT I HAVE TO SAY: The Mountian Beyond was a short, simple read type book that I curled up by the fire and read one afternoon. I read it, but I am not sure what to say about it... I am not going to say it was a bad book, but I am not sure I could say it was a good read either... There was a few funny points, but I really didn't get the whole point of the book. It was about the guy growing up, but there was really no story line to it... Please pick it up and read it for yourself and let me know what you think...did I miss something?
Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX—In his new book, The Mountain Beyond, author Terry Miller invites readers to join him on a trip back to the America of his childhood in the 1940s and 1950s. As they are transported to a small town at the foot of a Maryland mountain, readers will partake in the events that shaped not only Miller’s own life but the course of a nation’s history. The Mountain Beyond treats readers to a guided tour of some of the most iconic symbols of small town America in days gone by. Miller revisits the old swimming hole, the soda jerk, the boy scouts, the teenage road trip, and Halloween, 1950s style. The dual themes of homemade fun and old-fashioned hard work are woven throughout the narrative. While work ethics were instilled in the youth of his day, there was still time for fun!
The youngest of three children, Terry Miller was born in the small town of Thurmont , Maryland , in 1939. Thurmont is nestled in the Catoctin Mountains and epitomized the culture of small town America in the 1940s and 1950s. In his new book, The Mountain Beyond, Terry shares the story of his childhood.
“It’s a story full of events that shaped not only my life, but also the culture of an entire era. The unique, simpler time of my childhood cannot be duplicated in our history; yet it brought its challenges, just as we face today,” he says. “These memories are part of a legacy that spans generations that I’m sharing so others can reminisce, relate, enjoy, and even add to them.”
Hard work was a defining family value in Terry’s family. Beginning at age twelve, he held a variety of jobs: washing dishes, working in his family’s greenhouse business, and best of all, crafting perfectly shaped cones at the very first frozen custard shop in town. Terry served his country for over four years in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in Bethel , Alaska . After receiving an honorable discharge, he found success in the banking industry. Thanks to his determination, work ethic, and gift for communicating and training others, he quickly rose through the management ranks. In 1994, he founded his own firm, Terry Miller & Associates, which became a major training resource for over 500 banks in the state of Texas .
“I am thankful to have lived in a simpler time when we did not have all the computer games we have today. It made us create our own entertainment, and we had fun doing it. We played outside more and spent better quality time together with friends and family. We enjoyed freedom in many areas of our lives and felt safe to go places, do things and enjoy living!”
The Mountain Beyond
by Terry Miller
Xulon Press
ISBN: 978-1-60791-251-4/218 pages/softcover/$15.99
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