Will post again later, perhaps. Just thought I'd post a pic of the front of our home.
LOVE this time of year... it's 90 degrees outside with just a hint of breeze.
Have to work outside--yard needs WORK. Kids need SPRINKLER. Or so I've been informed!

PLANS

• Pull Weeds in front yard
• Water plants
• Sweep Front Walk
• Dust in Living Room (FlyLady Mission)
• Rake/Pick Up dried grass in backyard
• Mow Back...again.
• Plant several tomatoes in bigger planters
• Dinner
• Drop books at Library
• Shower/Clean Up
• Church

I visited COURT'S blog this morning and she's sorta randomly tagged me- literally. So I'll try and post that later. All the yardwork I have to do today leaves me with PLENTY of time to think about what I'll post!

Memorial Day

Our day will be spent being homebodies...
We've got some projects we're working on, so there will be no couch potatoes here.
Last night Robert and I watched an amazing and sobering show on CNN called COMBAT HOSPITAL. Check the website out to see what it's about...truly amazing. If you don't have a loved one in Iraq, it's easy to brush it aside that on this very day- we have soldiers serving, giving their lives, while we bbq and do household chores.




It's sobering but I think everyone should watch it- to keep it a reality in our minds and hearts. We have a friend from church who is being deployed in a few days. The kids are going to send letters and care packages to him on a regular basis- it's the least we can do.

~*~* Blessings & HEARTFELT THANKS to those who Serve *~*~

MISC.

We finished moving everything out of the old church today. It was odd to see it empty and realize that we'll never attend another service/program/school day there. But also a sense of moving forward in so many different ways as a church body! VERY exciting! While Robert and I helped (he helped lug the big stuff over to the new campus while I vaccuumed and scrubbed out cupboards in the kitchen) the kidlets were running around with friends- they got a nice playdate out of it and doughnuts and cheetos to boot! THEY had a BALL! lol.

Afterward, we headed home to tackle our rec room but we were a little frazzled and decided to put it off yet another day. ugh. NOT looking forward to it! The room is just a MESS right now. Boxes of stuff. Computers and parts tucked into corners. Church class stuff, Ebay inventory (BIG organizational task in and of itself.), Scrapbook/Crafty stuff, etc.etc. It's a jumble and it LOOKS it. We'll be spending tomorrow working on that after church. I'm anxious to see it DONE. This is where our homeschool area is going to be, but I can't envision any sort of set-up until it's all clean.

Robert grilled steak on kabobs for dinner tonite- with steamed cauliflower and broccoli. YUM. He makes the BEST BBQ...seriously. I'm SO lucky!! Now he's off with the kidlets catching an evening showing of the latest PIRATES of the CARIBBEAN. I stayed behind, as that's not my cup of tea. I'd rather get some Ebay listings under my belt and catch up on TIVO'd goodies!

I scrapped last night but I just wasn't feelin' it...don't know why. I just had a REALLY hard time getting going. I got two pages done. I'll take a pic of them tomorrow and post. I wasn't overly thrilled with either of them but they're done. I think my dabbling is so few and far between lately that I'm just "out of it". I cannot TELL you how much I HATE that. It's got to change!

So....I'm going to post a little tidbit of random eye candy everyday to get back into the routine of posting everyday and usually that motivates me to think of scrap pages and ideas begin to swirl- so maybe that will help. Plus my blog entries won't be so visually BORING!

Today I give you....
little bits of home.

I'm craving lots of visually AIRY & CLEAN stuff right now. I'm spying all the white in the house decor...and loving it. Thankful for white cupboards in my kitchen for the Summer light to bounce off of all day!

Tomorrow I teach Sunday School. Our little group is the "Turtle" group. They have divided the age groups/classes into animals that live in/by rivers or other bodies of water. The name of our church is THE RIVER CENTER- so they wanted something fun to tie in. I'm needing to begin giving our classroom some fun ZING to attract the kids. I'd say STIMULATE the kids but if you saw my class...my class of 4&5 year olds, averaging 16+ per Sunday...you'd KNOW that I AVOID that word!!! lol. But I want something FUN. That says "Come in here- there's SO many fun things to look at and do!"... so with the River/Turtle theme...can you give me some input here??? Give me "out there" but also keep in mind budget!

**HIT ME!**

I'm just the luckiest, most blessed Mom!! They both did a TREMENDOUS job at their program last night. TREMENDOUS. Before the program they were both quiet and ...focused. lol. My shy guy was a little more anxious because it's just not his favorite thing- crowds, attention on HIM. But he did a great job. And Josie- our performer. She was a little more reserved than usual, but she wasn't 100% herself after being sick.

Look how big they are...(sigh). Tomorrow is the last day of school- an awards program and bbq lunch! Should be alot of fun.

TueBits

Ahhhh....or should I say..uggghhhhhh...I was awakened at 2am by Josie having a bad dream. I climbed into bed with her and cuddled until she fell asleep. Then- the dog starts in about an hour later- whimpering LOUDLY for a backyard trip to relieve himself. He takes his sweet time. We come back in, I crawl into bed and shut my eyes for what seemed a milisecond and I hear Josie. again. Only this time it's more of a wail followed by wretching. oh yes indeedy. good times.

Needless to say, I didn't get much sleep and now I'm completely UNmotivated to do anything. Am I done griping now, you ask?? YES.

I've been keeping busy with end of year stuff at the school, prepping for OUR next year of school at home, Ebay and housecleaning. Today has been cups of coffee. LARGE cups of coffee. NUMEROUS large cups of coffee, munching on Kashi Almond Flax Crunch (YUM!), stripping bed linens- washing&rewashing. Doting on a pale, pathetic little urpy urchin and cruising my new Numero Uno Scrappy site: Scrap In STyle TV WOW! What a fun little site that is!! My new scrap home for inspiration and SISterhood. It's made today entirely bearable! lol. Now I'm drinking a large cup of coffee, watching/listening to PRIVATE BENJAMIN on tv and sorting out a tremendously disorganized studio.

Tonite is supposed to be the kidlets' Spring Program, however I'm not certain how that will play out, with the urpy urchin in the next room. Her head is in knots. literally. we washed, spray-gel'd and twisted knots all over her head last night in preparation for the program tonite. She's so upset at the possibility she'll miss out on her stage time to showcase the curls! lol.

Almost FRIDAY!

Whew!
WHAT a DAY!!
I ran errands this morning and then spent the rest of the day (noon to exactly 6:18pm) trying to regain control of the backyard! The grass is FULL of weeds (we rent and this yard obviously never got much attention prior to us living there) and it was all WAIST HIGH back there! Our weedwhacker was on the fritz so I borrowed my dads nifty new one that runs like a push mower! It was GREAT! I only have about 1/4 left to do (it's a pretty big stretch of yard!) but have to wait for dad to bring me some whip replacements-- I used up the first pair already. I cut the weeds down, then mowed high, then reset the mower lower and mowed AGAIN, then raked up rows of grass/weeds which I'll pick up tomorrow. My hands and arms were shaking (ain't THAT pathetic?!) as I was pulling off my shoes tonite. ugh. I'm sure I'll be hurtin' tomorrow. Oh well- it's all worth it! It's already looking SOOOO much better.

Tomorrow I'm going with Matthew's class on a field trip to Eugene, to a Science Center/Museum and a park. Should be alot of fun- especially being with my little man. I wanted to go to scope it out for our own field trips next year also.... so we'll see!

That's it for today...
Nothing amazing. Earth shattering. Exciting. ;)

~S

Jumpin' Jivin' Joey

Man, that guy can dance!! Love this style...

Just...WOW!

I got this in an Email today and had to share..this woman took an amazing stand and shared such an impactful declaration! LOVE it...

This is a statement that was read over the PA s ystem at the football game at Roane County High School, Kingston, Tennessee, by school Principal, Jody McLeod.

" It has always been the custom at Roane County High School football games, to say a prayer and play the National Anthem, to honor God and Country."Due to a recent ruling by the Supreme Court, I am told that saying a prayer is a violation of Federal Case Law.

As I understand the law at this time, I can use this public facility to approve of sexual perversion and call it "an alternate lifestyle," and if someone is offended, that's OK.

I can use it to condone sexual promiscuity, by dispensing condoms and calling it, "safe sex." If someone is offended, that's OK.

I can even use this public facility to present the merits of killing an unborn baby as a "viable means of birth control." If someone is offended, no problem...

I can designate a school day as "Earth Day" and involve students in activities to worship religiously and praise the goddess "Mother Earth" and call it "ecology."

I can use literature, videos and presentations in the classroom that depicts people with strong, traditional Christian convictions as "simple minded" and "ignorant" and call it "enlightenment."

However, if anyone uses this facility to honor GOD and to ask HIM to bless this event with safety and good sportsmanship, then Federal Case Law is violated.This appears to be inconsistent at best, and at worst, diabolical.

Apparently, we are to be tolerant of everything and anyone except GOD and HIS Commandments. Nevertheless, as a school principal, I frequently ask staff and students to abide by rules with which they do not necessarily agree. For me to do otherwise would be inconsistent at best, and at worst, hypocritical... I suffer from that affliction enough unintentionally. I certainly do not need to add an intentional transgression.

For this reason, I shall "Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's," and refrain from praying at this time."However, if you feel inspired to honor, praise and thank GOD and ask HIM, in the name of JESUS, to bless this event, please feel free to do so. As far as I know, that's not against the law----yet."

One by one, the people in the stands bowed their heads, held hands with one another and began to pray.They prayed in the stands. They prayed in the team huddles. They prayed at the concession stand and they prayed in the Announcer's Box. The only place they didn't pray was in the Supreme Court of the United States of America--the seat of "Justice" in the "one nation, under GOD." Somehow, Kingston, Tennessee, remembered what so many have forgotten. We are given the Freedom OF Religion, not the Freedom FROM Religion.

It doesn't take much to make me HAPPY!

Ok- this sounds like the DORKIEST thing on the planet but....
I made THE PULSE on Ebay!! The pulse lists the most popular listings right now...they track how many people visit and/or watch specific listings and then post those on "The Pulse". I listed a new "Vintage" Trapper Keeper and I have over 45 watchers right now and several hundred hits on the actual listing! I just listed it yesterday afternoon- so the numbers are pretty crazy for only a day and a half! Very curious to see where they'll be when this ends!
Here's the link...
Vintage Trapper Keeper

ANYwho...
Haven't been around here much lately. Been listing like a crazy woman on Ebay and outside enjoying this gorgeous weather we've been having!!!

We've been bike riding with the kids in the evenings, bbq'd several times and LOTS of lawn mowing. I'm also busy preparing things and researching for our first year of homeschool coming up. Lots to do there (or lots I *want* to do!) but it's fun, not tedious or stressful.

I'll post again soon with something more entertaining and some pictures. of something.
Now wouldn't THAT be nice...

bleh.

it's an "off" sorta day.

ever have one of those??

I'm so glad they are few and far between because it's rather annoying.

don't feel right.

completely unmotivated.

didn't get a thing done.

except a LONG nap after church...quite out of character for me typically.

Hope tomorrow IS a new day physically and mentally because my house is falling down around my ears.

Hope your day was MUCH better than mine!

xoxo

~S

Hilarious!!!!!!!!

Oh. My.

This is SO hysterical! I *just* saw this on tv and almost spit coke all over myself! Had to share. Gotta love YouTube at times like this...And HOW many takes did it take to get that?! If I was that couple I would've been DYING laughing- trying to say those lines and maintain composure.

Pretty funny that I saw this for the first time after posting my last entry too...ironic!!

Wise Words

If you dear little girls would only learn what real beauty is, and not pinch and starve and bleach yourselves out so, you'd save an immense deal of time and money and pain. A happy soul in a healthy body makes the best sort of beauty for man or woman.Louisa May Alcott, Eight Cousins, 1875

I have been re-reading some classics from my bookshelf and stumbled across this and it just rang true. I need to remember this - in this day and age of "SELF". The obsession to be perfect. The things we, as women (AND men!) do to acquire what we/society deems desireable and the equivalent to success/power/status...and does it REALLY make us happy? Truly?
Nope. And if you insist that it does- you're fooling yourself.
In this land of "It's All About ME". "The Diva". "Princess". "Just Do It". "Whatever Makes You Feel Good"- all the emphasis is on who we are and what we deserve and that we need it NOW.

I'm guilty of this mindset myself at times and I don't want my daughter (OR my son) to have this attitude. Nor do I want them to feel they must conform to worldly standards to feel good about themselves or to be accepted by others.

Don't get me wrong-- I *LOVE* the fun of fashion. And I could stand to lose a few pounds- to be healthier. But I've wasted far too much of my time on the surface, meaningless drivel of what's "hot" right now and how to aquire it to feel accepted or like myself more. Does this mean I'm going to stop working out and dress in tents? uh...NOPE! But my focus has changed. For the better. I feel like with this admission and release, that I'm making way for more meaningful experiences to savor. That I'll have a deeper perspective of life and my place in it, to share with my kidlets. Time wasted on surface things will be put to better use!!

Sure, I'll still post cute things I may stumble across here on my blog now and again. But no more POUNDS of Glamour, In Style, Self, Shape, People, In Touch, Marie Claire,etc.etc.etc. laying around here. Think of all the money I'll save! lol.