“Well, I just heard…..the news today……it seems my life…….is gonna change
I close my eyes, begin to pray……as tears of joy……stream down my face….
With arms wide open, under the sunlight, welcome to this place…….
I’ll show you everything…….With arms wide open……now everything has changed…..
I’ll show you love……I’ll show you everything……With arms wide open.”
I’m scanning old pics in to make Taylor some fun stuff for graduation. This is him at age 3, isnt’ he soooo cute? Where does the time go?
My girls would have no chance of learning anything after lunch if it weren’t for this 12 ounce wonder. I’m picky about it too…….must be really cold…..in the can…..with a straw!
After we decoupaged these clipboards, Emme told me I was the best art teacher ever. Denise, you better keep those ideas comin’…..
My storage solution for my costume jewelry, which incidently comprises all my jewelry……a candle holder….
This is how my girls entertain themselves when school is over and I go into a semi-catatonic state for an hour….a girl walking a dog……pretty creative…..so much for learning math with these blocks!
One of my favorite “homeschool” purchases…..these adorable lunch trays from Target. It adds an air of officialness to our school….we have lunch trays…..it’s really school…..
These two both have birthdays coming up this week. Emme will be 8 and Caiti, sweet 16; which explains my next two fav fotos…..
my favorite wine glasses……aren’t these lovely? the color, the pattern, and even better when filled with below beverage…..
My favorite wine……I know what you’re thinking, it’s like $3 per case. But it’s so good. Where did I discover it? At communion. Who did I have to ask to get the exact brand? My pastor. ” Um, I know this seems like a crazy question, and one you get a lot, but exactly what kind of wine is that, pastor?” It was funny. He seemed amused. But it goes well with everything……pasta, beef, chicken, crappy football teams, almost 16 yo’s who think they’re 30, that certain time of month….really almost anything! Happy Friday! Try some Mogen David tonight….with whatever you’re having.
I don’t like politics. I usually find politics at best necessary and only at times, interesting. This happens to be one of those interesting times; no matter what happens from here, it’s destined to be a historic election. Sarah Palin, who I am honestly quite impressed with, has made what was turning out to be bland political soup a spicy flavorful, bring-tears-to-your-eyes gumbo. (I always end up at food, somehow). So, how do you sift through all the rhetoric and political-speak? From the economy to ANWAR to Iraq to health care to the enviroment……..how can you make it all make sense and leave the voting booth justified that you have “loved your neighbor”? That is what we’re called to do isn’t it? Love the Lord with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself. Loving my neighbor is not always easy….maybe even the hardest part is trying to figure out ‘who’ my neighbor is. I think ultimately I must love and defend those who are the most vulnerable in our society with no obvious way to care for themselves. And that is why I sift through every other issue with a sort of ambivalence that mirrors the murky understanding most of us have about political issues. But, when it comes to life…..now that’s a serious matter. It’s pretty clear to me. God gives life and He alone should take it away. I have some personal experience in this area which only heightens my sensibilities. It’s been my experience in the medical field that women who, usually in the face of poor counseling and external pressure, make the decision to abort, live with a horrific guilt and shame that is impossible to overcome, save the grace of God. This Obama-McCain video from Saddleback Church seals the deal for me. Obama is not sure when a person acquires ‘her’ basic human rights…..and McCain is quite sure…..at conception. I could hibernate till November and go straight to the voting booth without hearing or seeing one more debate or interview. I would plug my ears or something, but I think it’s gonna be way too much fun for that. I’ve learned what I need to learn about the candidates though. John McCain is willing to love the little “neighbors” that get no say and I will be privileged to help him give them a voice.
Okay, there….no more politics.
Meet my new cleaning ladies….that’s Elea on your left….fresh from a fantastic job of swiffering and dusting. Then there’s Emme on the right (cute aprons, huh?) who has become an veritable expert at all things vacuuming. They do pretty solid work, considering what we pay!
Meet Kit and Emily. Our favorite American Girl dolls sporting their newly hand knitted items. Elea made the orange “throw” for Emily and Emme the red apron for Kit. Great job girls, and thanks to grandma for all those lessons.
Meet our slightly less than absolutely neurotic dog Scooter, with his new red polo. He’s looking a little inquisitive. Maybe he’s wondering why he has a shirt on? Perhaps he’s discerning the flavor palette of the latest dog treat choices? Are we having burgers for dinner? Do I even look good in red? Do these people realize I haven’t been to the spa in 5 weeks? 
Meet my “To Do” list! Which is empty! On Labor Day Weekend! Life is Bliss! And I love these chalkboard walls, but I may be forced to redo them in black. I’ve seen way too many cute ones in black. My cousin Jamie, who has renamed herself Jamie Knoxville, did hers in black. %$@#@. I just called her a name…she won’t mind…..she’ll call me one back. 
And last but certainly not least, meet Mantle, who despite his very manly name, has been badly feminized. So goes the destiny of most spots in my house. I L-O-V-E the mommy and baby zebras. (TJ Maxx of course). So there you have it—a few Friday fotos to recap the week.
pathetic.
I woke up at 5a this morning, yes you read that right. So, I did what anyone would do who woke up at 5a…..I went to Walmart. I think I’ve been to Walmart more in the past two weeks than in the rest of my 38 years combined. I don’t like Walmart. I start to get a mild panic attack when I enter the parking lot. And believe me, no matter what time you go to Walmart, there’s no scarcity of people. Enough Walmart bashing. I got my stuff and got outta there…..you know the “stuff” I mean…..a cantaloupe and some push pins, a few toiletries, ribbon, motrin, blank cassette tapes and play money. Don’t ask. Your list is just as random and ridiculous, although mine almost scares me when I see it in writing. Moving on, I got home just in time to help with the teenagers’ lunches and to convince my 16yo daughter to change her shorts. Wardrobe malfunction averted. The rest is a blur because I started to feel like I had the flu. I felt tired and achy and irritable and soooo sleepy. That’s when it dawned on me…..I haven’t had my coffee yet….I HAVEN’T HAD MY COFFEE and it’s nearly 8a. Near catastrophe ensued as I ground and poured and brewed as fast as I possibly could. Has this ever happened to you? I felt squeemishly weak and addicted….but not for long. Half way through the first cup, I confidently said, “I feel better. I don’t HAVE to have coffee. I just love the flavor. I could stop if I wanted to. Maybe I’ll just cut back. Maybe I’ll switch to tea. Maybe tomorrow. For now I need all my faculties about me for my 2nd day of homeschooling. My girls would sense weakness and pounce on it if I didn’t have my coffee. So far I agree with Susan Wise Bauer’s assessment. Homeschooling requires a healthy amount of both caffeine and sugar.
