Kindle...to Buy or Not to Buy!

OK, I absolutely love new gadgets and gizmos that make life more fun and generally easier...especially on the homeschool front. I remember when Flic first came out - I was so excited! I purchased it and had a total blast scanning all our books, CDs and DVDs. I highly recommend it for the person who like me, enjoys being organized! It was a good purchase. Well...have you seen this new device?



It's the newest craze for reading books. It's called the Amazon Kindle and it's just too cool! I love to read and having this device would make reading more fun. Of course you have to purchase the books you download to the device, but they're generally cheaper than in the store. You don't need to purchase online time, it comes 'free' with the device. You don't have to wait for long downloads - 1 minute or less for most books. You don't need a computer to use it, nor do you need to be within the vicinity of one to access it. You simply turn it on, search for the book, purchase it right on the device through Amazon.com and then download it. You can read books for days before recharging the battery, and you can read it outside with the special easy to read screen with 6 different font sizes. Amazing huh?!? By the time I can afford to buy it, a newer version will come out, the downloadable books will be cheaper, as will the device itself I'm sure! For now I'll just drool and save my pennies as I remind myself that it's a sin to covet!

Macro and Me

It's that time of year again...macro time! I love spring when the flowers are in bloom because I can take lots of close up photos!! I haven't taken many yet, but I'm anxious to walk around and take tons of photos. I'll post them when I get some worth sharing. Here are a few I managed to take in our backyard the other day.

Flowers from our Pear tree:


Flowers from our Weeping Cherry Tree:




I was playing around with one of the photos on the computer and here is what I came up with. Pretty cool huh?!? Lionel is creating an 8x10 very similar to this one for the up-coming art fair we're having. Hmm, think he takes after me?!? His photo is just below mine.

My photo:


Lionel's photo:


Have a glorious day and remember to take time to look at all of God's beauty around you!!

Calgon, take me away!!

Ever have one of those weeks?!? I don't get those dreaded "one of those days" anymore, I get "one of those weeks" now. It's amazing how things pile up on you before you realize that your plate is full and you can't manage another forkful! That's me right now!!



This week has been busy and is going to get even busier as it goes on. It all started this past Friday. We went away to a homeschool convention to purchase our curriculum, hear some great speakers and just enjoy fellowship with other homeschool families. We spent the day Friday browsing all the vendor tables and purchasing most of the curriculum we'll be needing for the fall. I was thrilled to get it all done during the first few hours. After lunch we were able to really enjoy browsing for 'fun'. We brought the kids this year (quite a different experience than in the past when it was just Edward and I) so we purchased a few items we probably wouldn't have if they were with us. Sweet-Pea is famous for her shopping skills. If she goes with you to the grocery store, it's impossible to leave without purchasing something you had absolutely no plans in getting! Anyhow...

That evening in the hotel room, I received a phone call from the nursing home where my Dad is now living. They told me he was on his way to the hospital. Apparently he fell face first onto the hard tile floor in his bathroom. He was unconscious when they found him and they had no idea how long he'd been laying there. He spent 2 days in the ICU of the hospital and just today he was moved to a standard patient room. They need to observe him for a while as they're not sure if there are any lasting effects from his fall. When he arrived at the hospital his vitals were very low and they said he was very anemic and needed a blood transfusion. They had to give him 2 transfusions before his vitals began to rise. We ended up leaving the convention early, but were OK with it since we accomplished most of what we went for that first day. Besides, it was the right thing to do. ..Dad needed us with him. Fortunately for Dad, he did not scratch, break, bruise or damage anything on his face. From the story the nurse told me on the phone, I was afraid he may have done serious damage to himself. Hopefully he will be able to return to the home someday this week.

Well, that was my weekend. This week will be full...I have to play catch-up with the kids for school as we lost a few days due to the convention among other things. We also have our big Art Fair this Friday evening for the homeschool group that I lead. My kids aren't even half way done with their projects and they're due by Tuesday! I know they'll finish them in time, but I don't like that rushed feeling. I am a planner and when things don't go according to schedule, it throws me way off kilter! I'm learning though. So...pray for us this week. Pray for my Dad...that God will give him peace as he lays alone in the hospital. Pray that God's will be done in his life! Please pray for our family as we deal with the emotions of dealing with my Dad and for our homeschooling - that we'll catch up and that we won't feel rushed or stressed about it or the upcoming Art Fair. Thanks!!

On a side note...Cody is doing spectacularly! He is like a new dog lately. He is playful, doesn't scare too easily and is just all around a loving, gentle dog. We adore him and are so thankful that he's in our family.



I will try to catch up on older posts I missed, but I'm not making any promises!

Photo Hunt #107 Unique/Funny Signs

The sign says it all!

Gettysburg Video

Here is the video I put together with the photos we took on our trip to Gettysburg.
The music is from the Gettysburg movie soundtrack. Enjoy!

Trip to Gettysburg

We were in Pennsylvania for a few days, mainly to go to Lionel's quiz meet in Hershey on Saturday. His team did very well...the upper division came in 2nd, and the lower division (Lionel's team) came in 1st. These kids studied quite a bit all year long for this quiz meet...I'm proud of every one of them! They studied Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon! They know those books backwards and forwards...when the quizmaster began each question, before getting to the 2nd or 3rd word, these kids were jumping up with the answers - amazing!!

Here is the Lower Division team - the one Lionel is on...


Here is Lionel, holding up the team plaque:


Before the quiz day though, our own family decided to have some fun in PA, so we went to Gettysburg. Lionel and I have been studying about the Civil War and we both have found it to be quite fascinating!! We watched both the movies "Gettysburg" and "Gods and Generals" (I highly recommend both!) and Lionel is currently reading a book about Col. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain. He is Lionel's favorite soldier from the Civil War.

I'm going to put together a movie/slideshow with our Gettysburg photos and will post that as soon as it's done. For now, enjoy these few photos...

Lionel posing with a few proud Union soldiers


Lionel and Sweet-Pea posing beside one of the very cool monuments in Gettysburg.


Sweet-Pea, pretending to load the cannons with a big cannonball.


Lionel standing next to the 20th Maine monument - where Col. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain was assigned with his troops on Little Round Top. This is where he was made famous for yelling "Bayonets!!!" when his troops ran out of ammunition. They won the battle because of his wise command!


Enjoying the pool at our hotel after a long day out!

Photo Hunt #106 - Thirteen

At first I had no idea what photo I would use for 'Thirteen' until it hit me...Lionel is 13 years old! So...without further ado...here's Lionel, bowling at his 13th birthday party!

Friday Faves #18 Smell

Friday Fave #18 - Favorite Smell

My favorite isn't one particular smell. Ever been somewhere and you smell something that reminds you of a place you've been before? The kind of smell that brings back fond memories? It doesn't happen often, but when it does, I love it! There are times I've walked into a building or out into the fresh air and if I closed my eyes, it would have put me back to a different place and different time. Sounds weird, I know, but it does happen!

These are the more specific smells I enjoy...

• coffee
• cinnamon
• carnation flowers
• fresh bread baking
• lavender

I also love walking into the Yankee Candle store and smelling all the candles mixed together - yummy!! I'm not particularly fond of the floral scents, but any country smells or baked goods smells are my favorites....Shortbread Cookie, Macintosh, Spiced Pumpkin, Autumn Wreath, Sugarcane & Vanilla, Juicy Peach, and Harvest...to name a few.

Talented and comical - who could ask for more?!?

This is SO my son Lionel when he's older. He plays the violin already and I could totally see him cutting up on stage like these guys! Gotta love it...a bit of humor, yet extremely talented!


Here is their homepage if you want to hear more. I just spent 30 min. laughing at my computer from watching other videos they have on their site. These guys are a riot!!!

Photo Hunt #105 - Twisted

Here is Sweet-Pea with her hair all 'twisted' and curled. I always love it when her hair is full like this, although it's not easy to care for!


Here is Lionel sitting on the swing with it all 'twisted'. I used to love doing that when I was young, but I always felt sick after it untwisted and flew you back in the other direction.

Friday Faves #17 Literary Character

Friday Fave #17 - Favorite Literary Character

I have to admit that I can't think of just one...sorry. I love several of the characters in Jane Austen's novels. One of my favorites has to be Col. Brandon from Sense & Sensibility. He is extremely loyal, loving and has a way about him that just draws you in. At first Maryann isn't interested in him, but I believe she truly falls in love with him...not because he's good looking or has lots of money, but because he is honest, sincere, gentle and extremely patient...he had to be to tolerate her childish behavior at first!

I also love the character Anne in Anne of Green Gables. I believe Lucy Maud Montgomery (the author) used her own background as the basis for her character and setting of the story. If you've never read the book, I highly recommend it. The movies are also wonderful, so if you're not a book lover, at least watch the movies!!!

Thursday Thirteen #13

13 of my favorite quotes from George Washington's book:

"RULES of CIVILITY & DECENT BEHAVIOUR in Company and Conversation"

This book was real. George Washington carried it with him in his coat pocket where ever he went. He exhibited notable manners throughout his life and practicing decent behaviour was at the top of his list! He wrote these down when he was just 14 years old. Oh boy...if only kids today would care so much about manners and decent behaviour at that young age it would be a different world!

Keep in mind that these were written around 1746, so they may sound silly to us in the 21st century! Ahh, that's why I love them so much!!! (The capital words are not my errors, that's how they're written).

1. When in Company, put not your Hands to any Part of the Body, not usually Discovered.

2. Put not off your Cloths in the presence of Others, nor go out your Chamber half Dressed.

3. Shake not the head, Feet, or Legs roll not the Eyes lift not one eyebrow higher than the other wry not the mouth, and bedew no mans face with your Spittle, by approaching too near him when you Speak.

4. In visiting the Sick, do not Presently play the Physician if you be not Knowing therein.

5. Wear not your Cloths, foul, ripped or Dusty but See they be Brushed once every day at least and take heed that you approach not to any Uncleaness.

6. Run not in the Streets, neither go too slowly nor with Mouth open go not Shaking your Arms kick not the earth with R feet, go not upon the Toes, nor in a Dancing fashion.

7. Go not thither, where you know not, whether you Shall be Welcome or not. Give not Advice without being Asked & when desired do it briefly.

8. Gaze not on the marks or blemishes of Others and ask not how they came. What you may Speak in Secret to your Friend deliver not before others.

9. Speak not in an unknown Tongue in Company but in your own Language and that as those of Quality do and not as the Vulgar; Sublime matters treat Seriously.

10. Being Set at meat Scratch not neither Spit Cough or blow your Nose except there's a Necessity for it.

11. If you Soak bread in the Sauce let it be no more than what you put in your Mouth at a time and blow not your broth at Table but Stay till Cools of it Self.

12. Rinse not your mouth in the presence of others.

13. When you speak of God or his attributes, let it be seriously & with reverence. Honor & obey your natural parents although they be poor.

Oh I absolutely love number 13, especially that last part..."although they be poor"! George did meal well in all his rules. He tried to be the best he could be when others were around. He tried to be honest, loyal, civil and respectful. Those rules, as out-dated as they may seem, are good enough to use today. I purchased a nice hard cover copy of the book and read them with my children. Yes, they giggle at most of them, but we try to re-word them so they're appropriate for today's time. Try it with your kids...here's a link to where you can read the entire list online.

Test everything...hold on to what is good!

God clearly tells us in the Bible to "Test everything. Hold on to the good." (I Th. 5:21) He also said: "And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many...For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." (Matthew 24:11, 24) Who are the elect? Christians...Bible believing, born again, Christ loving Christians! Me...and hopefully YOU!

My reason for this post was to throw a warning at you. I was browsing the internet tonight and came across some very disturbing news about Oprah. Please don't think that I follow her or even like to watch her - I don't! I did watch her "Big Give" once, but I felt that her 'giving' was all in vain! That's not how we are to give to others. We are to give from the heart, not from the wallets of someone with tons of money!! True giving comes from sacrifice.

Anyhow...I found this video which reveals some of who Oprah truly is. She has such an influence because she's rich, she's on national TV, and many many housewives and people who are home later in the afternoon watch her show. Her new book club has shed some light as to her beliefs and what she stands for. This little video clip is from a company that wrote a book about it all called "Dont Drink The Kool-Aid: Oprah, Obama and The Occult." I am not putting it here as an advertisement for the book, but as an eye-opener to those of you who do like Oprah. Be on your guard! Be careful...as the Bible says...false prophets come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves!!! If you go to the site mentioned at the end of the video, you'll see more video clips about Oprah and her book club. It's pretty scary that her deceit is right out there in the open, yet many people aren't seeing it!



So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! (I Cor. 10:12)