How the heck do you do this?

So I read this wonderful devotional today about Order In The Home sent by the Above Rubies ministry.  Now, I'm supposed to be able to just click on a link and be able to republish it in my blog.  It was so good I wanted to share it with anyone who might enjoy it.

I tried, I really did.  But all I got was this showing up on my blog post - Order In The Home | Above Rubies Women's Email Devotional .  That's it.  Well, I guess I'll figure this out eventually.

On another note, I've noticed most blogs include pictures.  I will work on that too.  I think figuring out a relevant picture could be difficult sometimes.  The knitting blogs I follow often have pictures of works-in-progress (WIPs for those of you in the know).  I just don't know if any of you is that interested in seeing 1/4th of a knitted dish cloth.

I suppose some of my recent posts could have included pictures of ants.....  No, I don't think so.

Bits and Pieces

Here's what's happening.  
The ant wars continue, but appear to be slowing down.
The little, bitty snake we discovered in the downstairs family room continues to live in hiding somewhere in the house.  Its cohort was previously caught and released.
Visiting a college for my son with some friends next week.  It really is time for that young man to be making some decisions.
Joined a knitting/crocheting State Fair dishcloth swap.  This means we each knit/crochet a dish cloth with a fair theme (I've chosen a nine patch quilt design), a prayer square (if you want to know, you'll have to ask) in the recipient's favorite color, a recipe (have decide on Lemonade Stand Pie) and any other little goodies we wish to add, preferably with a fair theme.  And, if we want to join the competition, another special handmade item of any sort to be judged by a panel of judges.
This is very intimidating!  I've seen pics of the great things these women have sent to each other in previous swaps.  They are Talented!  But, I'm jumping out of my comfort zone and doing it anyway.  Watch out Melissa in Kentucky I'm going to try and wow you.




This is intimidating!  T 

Time to Plan

Can't believe that July is already winding down.  My mind has been turning to the looming new school year.  Unimaginable to think it will be the last year we homeschool since Adam will graduate in June 2012.  Definitely time to start planning for this school year.  Based on what colleges he's interested in, we need to figure out his classes.


One of my favorite things about homeschooling, but by no means my only favorite thing, is the planning process.  I really like to plan.  I think it's because in the planning stage there is all the potential of good things to come.  You haven't hit the roadblocks or problems yet.  A beautiful view stretches out in front of you and excitement about what wonderful things can be learned.


It's the implementation that is the drag.  Those unexpected problems pop up that make you want to tear your hair out.  But in Planning Land, all is beautiful and rosy.

And Summer Continues

Well, it's hotter than hot, the vegetable garden is terrible this year (except for cucumbers, cilantro and basil), my knitting is going slowly (because I can't seem to knit any faster), there are several knitting projects in the works and quite a few more I'm dying to start  - but I don't dare, I have more books in my To Be Read pile than I have time to read and I have hardly begun to do some of the things I hoped to do this summer.  I think I am suffering from ennui.  I love that word.

Dive In

Here's something I read this morning.  It's from C.S. Lewis' Pilgrim's Regress.


 "Alas, said he, I have never learned to dive."  
"There is noting to learn," said she.  "The art of diving is not to do anything new but simply to cease doing something.  You have only to let yourself go."


That's what I want to do.  Learn to let myself go.

From a Wholehearted Mother

This was on Sally Clarkson's (co-writer with her husband Clay of one of my all-time favorite books on homeschooling, Educating the Wholehearted Child) Itakejoy blog today. A great reminder to look for joy in this dark and broken world.


"Itakejoy was begun because I wanted to celebrate life every day–to intentionally see God’s fingerprints, to find His joy, to feel His love in every moment, throughout the day. This world is the dark, broken place where Satan lurks and prowls like a lion to destroy, devastate, steal from the beauty our master craftsman displayed for our pleasure.
What better way to battle him and the darkness he spreads by choosing, this moment, to sing, dance, laugh, love and to cultivate a child heart.
Amidst piles of duties, burdens of tasks to be completed, one must fight to celebrate this joy and to glimpse His fleeting shadow all around us. Becoming like a child–taking time to wonder, to marvel at a rolling, hairy caterpillar, to really feel the hot sun on your face, to lie in the grass under the piercing light of a shooting star–all this requires a heart that is willing to celebrate and wants to praise and willing to stop in the moment to see.“I tell you the truth, unless you become like a child, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Mt. 18:3"

What I Love About Knitting

1. It makes me look productive while watching TV.
2. I get to take bunches of yarn and turn it into something.
3. I have a reason to go into yarn stores and touch all those gorgeous skeins - because I can't just look.
4. It impresses other people that I can do this.
5. It makes me feel peaceful

You Never Know What a Day Will Bring

Isn't that the truth?  Saturday brought an ant invasion (horror, disgust) and identity theft.  The ant battle continues but we are winning.  The identity theft is my daughter's battle.  Thanks to the smart policies of a wise discount chain, my daughter was able to get a jump on this.
This company called my daughter asking if she had submitted a credit card request, which she had not.  A quick check of her credit history showed this person had applied for eight credit cards over Friday and Saturday.  
My daughter continues to fight this battle as she tries to contact all the companies about the identity theft, the police in the city which this is all occurring and who knows who else.  This thief is making a few mistakes, though, so we are hoping she will be caught.
This process is a lot of work and will continue to be so as Julia will also have to contest all these false entries to her credit history.  
And while these problems cause a lot of anger, frustration, work and aggravation, we thank God it's not worse.

Saying Good-bye

It's been a crazy month and one full of good-byes.  One friend moving to Minnesota and another to Kentucky.  And then a final good-bye as we attended my mother's memorial service last week.  How do you say good-bye?
The death of my mother was not unexpected, but so sad and so final.
I don't think anyone is ready to become an orphan no matter what their age is.  
And saying good-bye to cherished friends is so hard.  No matter how much you promise to stay in touch it just doesn't seem to happen.  
Every friend and every family member adds something to who we are, they are a piece of us.