Blogging Time Out!

Hi Y'all,

I have gotten so behind in correspondence, both telephone and email, that I am putting myself in blogging time-out. 

Actually, I pre-posted all of last weeks posts in an attempt to catch-up, but unfortunately I need more time. 

As soon as I am done with phone calls and emails. I am going to get caught up on ten days worth of blog reading (y'all are prolific, I tell you!) 

I am tempted to read and not comment, but i can't stand that idea at all. Not one bit.

So, it may be quiet around here until I get caught up. 

Until then, Happy Monday!

Ice Maker Mystery

Three years ago, right before we moved to Arizona, our ice maker died.  A low blow to this ice chewing, cold drink drinking, frozen water lover. 

I knew that getting the ice maker fixed would be expensive, and that a new fridge was out of the question, since the fridge works quite well. But I've had this secret dream of a free standing ice maker for most of my adult life. 

In high school and college I use to babysit for a family that had a free standing ice maker with a little plastic scooper.  I babysat for them often and when I arrived to work the first place I would go was to that ice maker. I would fill up a gigantic plastic tumbler cup to the top and munch ice while playing with the kids. 

Just talking about it makes me want some.

Anyway, I had this dream that maybe, since my ice maker was broken, we might put a free standing ice maker in the kitchen of this house. 

Saturday I woke up very early and was sipping coffee and checking email when I heard rumbling in the kitchen. With the dog at my feet and everyone else sleeping soundly in the bed I bravely walked around downstairs anticipating something big and rodent-y creeping in my dark kitchen.

But nothing could be found. 

Then I heard a whirring of the freezer and I walked over to investigate. Sure enough the ice maker had come back to life and the ice was almost overflowing from the bin.

Bummer. 

There goes my free standing ice machine with the cute little scooper. 

Of Falling Leaves and Fire Pits

I wanted to share with you the amazing talents of The Mister. Now, among all the things that he can place behind his name, he can add master fire pit builder. Although he would tell you that isn't true, because he isn't actually finished with the pit. He has some decorative ideas that involve hauling in some rock to keep the mud down to a minimum, and some sort of rustic benches made out a huge dead tree that needs cutting down in the front yard.

Which brings me to another topic. Why do men think they can cut down a GI-NOR-MOUS tree all by themselves? Oh, but he says he is going to do it, and he's been looking for just the right chainsaw to do it with. (can you just hear that old Tool Time man-laugh? Ar! Ar! Ar!)

Anyway, that Mister of mine is a good man for making me such a fine pit. Even when he arranged that flagstone in a certain pattern that didn't appeal to my high need for symmetry and orderliness. So he let me tell him how I wanted them. It's a good thing he's got muscles. 

I also wanted to show you the pictures of the tree's in my yard. Yesterday I walked by the window and was suddenly was taken back by the fanastic-ness of the trees in my back yard. 

Y'all, the leaves are putting up a show that makes me almost want to weep and laugh all at the same time.

These pictures aren't even good. They look so much better in real life!

I had something else I wanted to tell you, but for the life of me I cannot remember what it was.

Oh well! La Vida Dulce!

Meme Tuesday!

(In an attempt to keep up with an already busy week I have  pre-scheduled this post. It was actually written on the morning of Sunday November 2, 2008! 

I stole this meme from Mer over at Life at 7000 feet.)

WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?

My full name is Kellianne Lillian. 

i think my mom liked Kelli and my dad liked Anne, so they put them together. Lillian is my maternal grandmothers middle name.

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?

Well, I get veklempt about every other day for various reasons or the other. But the last time I really cried the ugly cry was about a month ago. I think the stress of the move and the feeling of homesickness, combined with hormones was just the right mix for about two days worth of crying. This doesn't happen very often, but when it does, yikes!

DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING

When i take the time to make it neat.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?

Turkey

DO YOU HAVE KIDS?

Two. The Boy and The Girl

IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?

I think I would.

DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?

Sometimes, when I get into one of those moods! 

DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS

Yes.

WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?

Nor for a million dollars. Uh well, maybe for a million dollars. But not a penny less.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?

Kashi Go Lean Crunch.

DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?

No.

DO YOU THINK YOU'RE STRONG?

About somethings, but in other things, not so much.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?

Do I have to pick one? Ok then, Chocolate Chip Mint. 

WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?

There countenance. 

RED OR PINK?

Pink.

WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?

Today, my gray roots that need some serious attention.

WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?

Pants: Red flannel christmas Pj's with skiing reindeer and snowflakes.

Shoes: Barefoot and my feet are freezing.

WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?

Kashi Go Lean cereal.

WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?

Listening to the kids watching Hannah Montana. The Boy is sick so the kids and I are staying home from church.

IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?

Mauvelous

FAVORITE SMELLS?

Coffee, baking bread, Christmas trees

WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?

Mr and Mrs Moofish

FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?

Basketball

HAIR COLOR?

Dark Ash Brown #42

or 

Espresso 

EYE COLOR?

Brown 

DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?

Yes

FAVORITE FOOD?

I don't really have a favorite, but my Dad's Albondigas soup sounds good right now. 

SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS

Happy endings

LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?

Kitt Kitredge during girls night with The Girl on Friday.

SUMMER OR WINTER?

DEFINITELY summer!

HUGS OR KISSES?

hugs

FAVORITE DESSERT?

Creme Brulee

WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?

Where Yesterday Lives - Karen Kingsbury 

WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?

It's a Dell pad that we got free from some where!

WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LATE LAST NIGHT?

Didn't watch TV. We christened the Fire Pit!

FAVORITE SOUND

The sound of the trees when the breeze blows through them gently. It reminds me of this verse:

You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and the trees of the field will clap there hands. - Isaiah 55:12

ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?

Way before my time. ;) (Oh, I think I am so funny!)

WHERE WERE YOU BORN?

Southern AZ

Halloween Fun

Halloween was interesting this year. 

Two years ago we took our little Darth Vader and Pegasus to a neighborhood down the street. Our neighborhood is an older neighborhood with homes on wooded acre lots. Not great for trick or treating, unless your training for a marathon.

Anyway, in this subdivision down the way, we had hit the mother-load, coming home more candy than we could possible eat before Christmas time.

I don't know if the economy kept people from wanting to spend to much money on candy for trick or treaters, or if Friday night opened up the evening for parties and football games. But there were more dark doors than lit on Friday night. 

It was OK though because we got to trick or treat with some freinds, and it was fun to visit and chat while walking the neighborhood begging for treats.

It seems hard to believe that it was only one year ago when I took my kiddos out in the streets of Arizona dressed in a short sleeve shirt and capri pants!  This year, in jeans, a sweater, and long coat, I was sorry I hadn't brought my gloves. But the sweet smell of fall is the best reason to trick or treat in this part of the country.

Fall in NC is incredibly rich. I'll have pictures tomorrow.

Anyway, we came home with just enough candy to assuage our palette, until I start baking all things ginger and sweet.

Let the festivities begin!!!!!

La Vida Dulce!

Giveaway Winner!

Wow! I loved this giveaway.

The last time I gave something away I had over 800 comments and that was fun. But, this time I really enjoyed reading all 168 comments, because you took the time to really tell me what you love!  That was a treat for me.

So, I drew a random number, I think it was like 96, or something, and it turned out that my Mom was the winner.  So I called her and let her know that I couldn't give her the apron because that might look a little suspicious. She said she understood, but as a consolation gift she got to choose the winner by giving me a random number. 

That random number was 35.

So Four is Crazy, you are the winner of the La Vida Dulce Apron!

Please email me me your snail mail address and I will get that mailed to you soon!

Thanks again for participating!

La Vida Dulce!

Sleepy

I have the biggest case of sleepiness this afternoon. 

If I knew that a nap wouldn't ruin my night time sleep,  I would sneak up stairs and slip under the covers of my happy fluffy, newly decorated bed, and take a nice afternoon siesta.

I haven't been sleeping great recently.  However, last night and the night before I slept gloriously all through the night. It was awesome!

One of the things I do when overcoming insomnia is to significantly cut back on caffeine intake. Which means that oh-so-warm-and-delicious cup of afternoon coffee is off limits. :(

I should try to fold some laundry to keep my eyelids from shutting. Even typing while typing this post, my eyelids are heavy, heavy, heavvvvvyyyy....

OK, I was going to type this post and catch up on blog reading, but I think I better do something active, lest I heed the call of my comfy, heat-blanketed bed.

(Yawn!)

Painting, Ponderings and Pap Smears

How's that for a title? My apologies to the three males who read this blog!

If you are hear for the give away, Click Here.

(Your also welcome to read this post!)

Yesterday I had my annual check up at the doctor, and can I tell you how awesome it is to be stationed at a remote duty station? It is awesome, because we get to see doctors who aren't at the Base clinic. Not that military doctors aren't fine clinicians. It's just that organization of those branch clinics can be a nightmare. 

A nightmare I am SO VERY GLAD not to be participating in!

Who knew that a girl would be so thankful for a well-woman check up!.

Speaking of such personal issues. Some of you may know that I have a tattoo on the small of my back that has the Song of Solomon verse "I am my Beloveds, and he is mine" written in Hebrew script.

Well, there I am sitting on the table with that dreaded paper gown opened to the back. The Doc puts the stethoscope on my back, and I am taking in deep breaths while she listens to my heart.

Then she stops, but I can tell she is still looking at me. At my tattoo. Suddenly, in a rush of epiphany, I remember that this doctor is Jewish. (She was my doc when we lived here before.)

And she begins to read. 

Out-loud. 

In Hebrew. 

She's cool with it, and asks what the story is behind it, and I feel grateful about two things: That is she is not offended, and that the tattoo actually says what I wanted it to say. 

How embarrassing it would have been to have her reading it and it say something really crazy...

Anyway, I love my doctor here. She is very personable, right down to reading your tattoo's in their original language.

I also got a flu shot. And today I don't feel so good; kind of achy, and a little off. Not lay-down-in-the-bed-and wish-the-world-would-swallow-you sick, but just enough to make being awake a little annoying. I have only had the flu shot one other time and this didn't happen. Is this normal?

I am going to take this feeling-kind-of-funky opportunity to skip my workout this afternoon and paint the rest of my entry way instead. 

Since I have spent the majority of this post talking about very personal things let's switch gears and talk about the weather. 

It's cold here. 

I am not complaining as much as I am wondering what happened to the fall? I mean the low last night hit freezing. As I type there is a frost warning until tomorrow morning.

It seems that 18 months in the desert was just enough time to thin out my blood and turn me into a weather wimp.

The good news? I plan to pull Cookie the Heating Blanket out tonight and put him on my bed! I do believe that this is the first time I have had to use that blanket in October!

La Vida Dulce!

Bloggy Giveaway Time! *comments closed*

I love the Bloggy Giveaway. And I love aprons. 

I would love to give away this apron.

If you want a chance to win, leave a comment telling me what you love. Just remember, this is a family friendly blog.

Once you have a left a comment then go check out what others are giving away and sign up there too! I will choose a winner on the morning of Saturday, November 1st.

The Good News? You don't have to be a blogger to participate! But you do have to have a valid email address.

The Bad News? I'm sorry, but I can only mail to addresses in the US and Canada.

La Vida Dulce!

The ONLY Political Post You Will Ever See On This Blog

My friend Stephanie J. over at Bike Book Bread has this post up regarding the election that really makes me say AMEN!!! 

I agree with it 100%, but I also must add:

I am not into politics. And the reason I am not into politics is because most people cannot talk about them without being (overly) emotionally involved.  And when emotions get involved, things often turn ugly. This is especially disconcerting when ugliness happens with people you care about.  

When things turn ugly people feel like they have two options: fight or flight.

I am of the flight kind, mostly because I know nothing about politics, except what I need to know to make an educated vote. 

As a general rule, I avoid talking politics to avoid the fighters.  I avoid fighters because they often throw around words that are hurtful; words that they probably don't mean. Words that in the end cannot be taken away. 

At the end of the day, the people in my life are not Republicans and Democrats. They are family and friends. They are people. They are the ones who will living alongside me in this life long after the election is over. They are the ones I live with. They are the ones I love.

It's about relationship, and in my opinion, that is worth fighting for... Politicians will come and go, but relationships last a lifetime.

This is the end of the one and only post on politics you will hear me type. Except maybe the post entitled: Halleluia! This Campaign is Finally Finished! 

Weekend Advice

You know how there is a blog carnival called "Works for me Wednesday"?

Well this post should be entitled, "Shouldn't Have Done That Saturday'.

So, for the first installment, for surely this won't be the last, I give you this:

Never, under any circumstances put dish washing liquid in you dishwasher. 

I ran out of machine gel and thought that just a little bit of liquid would be better than nothing but... it's not.

I am currently trying to run the machine without any soap at all in hopes that I might find my dishes again!

La Vida Dulce!

This and That

Thank y'all so much for the great birthday wishes! I read (and re-read!) every one of them.

If you are a reader who doesn't actually have a blog (and really, why don't you?) I'm hear to tell you that having a blog is especially great for your birthday!  The comments made me crazy-happy! 

My birthday was terrific outside of the blog-o-sphere too. The Mister got me a TV for my new nest/sewing room. And he is building me a fire pit outside!  I am really excited about that fire pit because we have some friends here who would love to sit by a warm fire and roast marshmallows all winter long. 

We (and by that I really mean he) actually had most of the pit finished but when The Mister started to lay the brick, he decided it wasn't going to be big enough, so he is going to lift up all the brick he laid down, dig some more, and make it bigger. Listen, I never said I wasn't spoiled. 

Actually, asking for a birthday gift that required Man-Work was a win-win situation. The Mister actually likes doing things like digging giant holes for making large fires. 

But then again, what man doesn't?

Back to my birthday, in between obsessively checking for comments and swallowing large amounts of ibuprofen (in an attempt to fight off a migraine) I still managed to run 4 miles and bake some of the yummiest pumpkin cookies I have ever made. 

Oh, and I did actually manage to make sure my two young students did some school. I tend to be a stickler when it comes to school, so the kids were excited that I declared most of the day as a holiday.

I continued to fight a horrible headache and thought about skipping out on bible study that night. But I couldn't stand the thought of not showing up to my own birthday party. (It was supposed to a surprise, but i sort of knew). My sweet friends, The K Sisters, had made me the best chocolate frosted brownies I've eaten all month! After having chocolate I came home, tucked myself in bed and woke up Wednesday morning feeling fine. 

So, the cure for migraine is brownies and ice cream, and sweet friends to eat them with!

All in all, I got to do (and hear and see!) so many things I love on my birthday. That was a treat.

Lastly, I read a book this week that I highly recommend: Me, Myself, and Bob by Phil Vischer. He is the creator of VeggieTales. If you aren't familiar with VeggieTales you probably haven't had a young child in your life in the last 10-12 years...his book is still worth reading.

It's the account of the rise, and fall, of Mr. Vischer's production company Big Idea. It's a powerful story of God's desire for our lives whether we are in the world of business or not. I found my copy at the library, and highly recommend that you check it out.

OK, I gotta run. I have a pot of White Chicken Chili on the stove and a few friends coming over for lunch! I gotta get the table set!

Happy Friday!

It's a Great Day!

You may have heard me say this on the blog before, but I love birthdays! Even my own!

I decided to do a little Google search and see who else shared my birthday. I cannot believe the list of talented people born on October 21st!

Here is a list of ten:

1808

Samuel Francis Smith, Clergyman and hymnist, wrote "My Country Tis of Thee"

1833

Alfred Nobel, Swedish inventor and founder of the Nobel Prize

1917

Dizzy Gillespie, American musician

1924

Celia Cruz, Cuban singer; Considered the "Queen of Salsa"

1928

Whitey Ford, Major League Baseball player

1942

Judy Sheindlin, American judge and television host 

1949

Benjamin Netanyahu, 9th Prime Minister of Israel

1955

Rich Mullins, Christian musician

1956

Carrie Fisher, American actress and writer

19??

Darcie, Blogger and Friend

(Go on over and wish Darcie a happy day!)

In the spirit of birthdays and gift giving I need to give out an award that I have been holding onto for far too long.

Sweet Janel, over at Dandyliondayz awarded me with this:  

Janel, I love reading your blog and hope that someday we might meet face to face!

I can't remember how many people I am supposed to pass this off to, so I will go with three. I am passing this award onto meh of Biding My Time, because I think it will make her laugh, and we often do that together.

I also give this award to Blue Skies and Mama in High Heels. Because they are fun, homeschoolin' moms and I love to read their blogs!

If you happen to share a birthday with me today, Happy Birthday!  If not, I'm passing out cupcakes, Chocolate or Vanilla? 

Have a fantastic day!

Happiest of Birthdays: An Open Letter to Mom

Dear Mom,

On this day I always think about you, and what it must have been like thirty-six years ago, when you were full with child and celebrating your 25th birthday.

I think about how you celebrated your day not knowing that in your tomorrow, life would be turned upside down by a girl-child who would choose to enter this world in a not so common way. 

I think about the story of you and Dad celebrating, as you both do so well, not knowing that that would be the first time you would celebrate two birthdays, instead of one. 

As a child I always felt it was so special to have to our birthdays one right after the other. 

I still do. 

Although I can't be there in the desert to share a piece of cake, or give you a present in person, I'm thinking about you. I hope your day is fantastic. I love you so!

Happiest of Happy Birthdays...

Love,

Kellie

Bloggy Advice

I swear I am going to write about (and giveaway) the sweet award Janel sent me last week, but I have to put it off for just one more day!

Here's the thing: Months before we moved back here I was reading Nester's blog and she wrote about a paint color called Tobacco Road. Turns out the color had been discontinued, but I emailed Nester, and sure enough she just happened to have the secret Tobacco Road code written on a paint can lid she had from 5 years ago. This girl is amazing!

Anyway, we got the paint mixed and I slapped a bit on the wall, and I hated it.

Until.

Until that little slap of paint started to grow on me, and after two weeks I realized that the Nester knows of what she speaks. 

So, today I recruited The Girl to help me paint the foyer.  Well the bottom half of the foyer. When we moved into this house the original paint was a pretty yellow (pictured above).  Below is the fruit of today's labor. 

Except I'm not sure I am done.

I had mentioned to The Mister that Tobacco Road had grown on me so much that I was thinking about painting the whole wall, leaving the trim white. 

He wasn't sold.  Change is hard on that sweet guy.

But the TR looks so good on the bottom I think it needs it on top too.  What do you think?

Here is my dilemma, if I paint the top portion of the foyer TR what about the portion up the stairwell?

See the wall behind the railing and the badly spelled seasonal decoration?  Technically is that part of the foyer?  Do I paint that TR too?

And that wall leads up to the hallway. Do I paint that too?

This is the shot looking down the stair way. See those big ominous white walls...what about those?

What do you think? 

Just a Note

As I type it is 8:15 on Monday. 

Today was a Federal Holiday so The Mister got to stay home with us. We had a great day together.

I am tired, and after I do a few quick preparations for school tomorrow I am going to hit the bed early, but I just had to write to tell you that The Mister is in the kitchen cleaning and singing along with a Josh Turner CD.

He is so darn cute.

Thats all.

Friday: A Favorite Day

About a month ago I was talking to my parents about a friend of theirs who made the best Chicken Pot Pie.

I have been craving a pot pie ever since.

Amazingly enough, I actually found the recipe to that fantastic (and simple!) Pot Pie and wanted to make one, but I I am the only La Vida Dulce resident who will eat it.

So last week I decided that I was going to invite a couple of gals over for a Chicken Pot Pie lunch. I also decided to serve a tossed salad. And for dessert, pumpkin bread with whip cream.

The pie turned out delicious (if I don't say so myself) and the company was even better.  

It was a great end to an otherwise long week.

I hope you all have a fantastic weekend!

I'm off to clean up the kitchen and plan the menu for our next Ladies Who Lunch date!

Easy Chicken Pot Pie:

Crust:

6 TBLS Boiling water

1 cup butter flavor shortening

2 TBLS Cream or milk (not skim)

2-1/2 cups of flour (plus more for rolling)

1 tsp salt

Combine and roll out. Place in fridge, between pieces of plastic wrap until ready to assemble pie. Makes enough dough for top and bottom crust of one 10-inch pie. 

Filling:

2 chicken breast, boiled and cubed.

1 can Veg-All.

1 can Cream of Chicken Soup

1/2 tsp Thyme

Mix together and put in between crusts.

Cook at 350 for 30-40 minutes until browned on edges. Let cool slightly before cutting (this will keep your filling from oozing out of the crust.)

I also brushed the leaf cutouts and the crust with a little egg wash to make them look pretty.

Happy Friday!

I Feel the Love

A few weeks ago a friend in real life asked me this question:

Who are all these people who comment on your blog?  

This friend, a blogger herself, wasn't being derogatory, she was making more of a statement than anything else. But, I know that there are those out there who think blogging is a waste of time,; Time perhaps better spent in real (tangible) relationship.

Although I know blogging cannot replace real life realtionship with people. I do have an answer as to why I blog.

I could give you a long answer, but I'll just tell you in three words:

They're my friends. 

I may not have had a conversation face to face with many of these awesome ladies, but I have prayed for them, shared recipes with them, shed tears with them, and experienced their joy. 

Blogging is a sweet community. Some may scoff; some may say that community cannot happen without a place to gather face-to-face, and that's OK. 

Community is often built out of uncommon means.  Although, I am not sure blogging is all that uncommon anymore and I am so glad to have met people I would never have had the opportunity to know otherwise!

Anyway, somewhere in this crazy blogosphere, some creative gal started making awards. I have been the recipient of two this week.

First, Rae of My Life On the East Coast  has awarded me with the Smile Award:

Here are the characteristics of the Smile Award:

~You must display a cheerful attitude.

~You must show love to others.

~You must make mistakes.

~You must learn from others.

~You must be a positive contributor to blogging.

~You must love life.

~You must love kids.

Here are the rules for the Smile Award:

~You must link back to the award creator. (Oops...I don't know who the award creator is!)

~You must post the rules if you are a recipient.

~You must choose 5 people to pass the award to.

~You must fit the characteristics of the award.

~You must post the characteristics of the recipient of the award.

~You must create a post sharing your win with others.

~You must thank the giver of the award.

Wow! There are a lot of rules to this award! But I am grateful for the opportunity to tell you why I enjoy getting to know Rae through her blog.

First she has amazing style. She post often about things she sees and things she is doing to embellish her home. She is also a hip momma who isn't afraid to show the reality of motherhood!  

I happily nominate 5 sweet blogger-gals  for the Smile Award who aren't in my blog roll (because I always forget to update my blog roll!!)

Tiffani of Bear and Belles. If you look up the word Encourager in the dictionary, this girl's picture will be there. If er heart is as half as big in real life as it is via the Internet, I am uncertain how she contain it!  Seriously, this southern belle is as kind as they come.

Stefanie J: of Bike, Book, Bread is an in-real-life friend. Now, this girl is S-M-A-R-T. Really smart. But she is kind and tender-hearted, and has an amazingly great desire to honor God. She is also very talented. She is actually reading a book to learn how to crochet, and has made some amazing things for a wee beginner!  (I am always impressed with direction readers...I am not one.) Anyway, Stef also makes a mean loaf of bread. Bread is not just a hobby, It's her passion!

Meet Leslie from More from Les.  Les is a blogger who is always doing fun things with her kiddos. Whether it's leading her daughters Girl Scout Troop, to having tea parties with Buzzlight Year and a stuffed animal named Garth Brooks, she is having a blast!  

I am not even sure how Lindsey and I hooked up, but I am so glad we have.  You can find her at The Whitcomb Family blog. where she posts about her pride and joy, Sammy!  Lindsey is a hard working momma, juggling both motherhood and career.  She likes hanging out with family and she has a love for dogs!  (Although just between you and me, I have a hunch that her soft spot for animals isn't limited to dogs!)

And last but certainly not least, Life With Three written by Michelle.  Michelle is an energetic gal who is also a contributor to the ever popular Chic Critique productive review blog. I love looking at pictures of her family at the beach, or laughing while I read funny stories of her with her kids, but what I really enjoy are her Works for me Wednesday posts. My favorite one was on how she figured out how to pack a lunch with out having to sell one of her children to pay for it.

Whew! This post is long!  Sweet Janel of Dandylion Dayz also gave me an award but i think I will save that until tomorrow!

Until then,

La Vida Dulce!

Why People Like Me Should Just Buy From The Pottery Barn

I started this project last week.

Since I am trying to sew in small increments throughout the day, this little project took a bit longer than I had first thought. 

However, it had been all laid out on the floor for several days just waiting for me to sew the finished squares to the double fold bias I had oh-so-cleverly made with a special tool I found last year. How's that for a run on sentance?

Not only have I looked at the layout all week, but The Mister and both kiddos had looked at it too. 

After finishing up the sewing I immediately went outside and hung it up in several trees out side. I looked and looked at that thing about 20 different ways.

It was only until I sat down right this very moment to brag on myself post about it that I saw my mistake:

I am not Giving Thanks, but Giving Thakns.

Y'all, if it wasn't so stinking funny and TOTALLY something I do all too often, I might be tempted to feel sorry for myself!

Anyway, I am off to rip the 'k' and 'n' and put 'em where they belong, in the meantime, would you let me know what you are Giving Thakns for today?

La Vida Dulce!

On Homeschooling and What I Am Learning

I've had a couple of people ask in the last few weeks about our homeschooling adventure, so I thought I would give you a peek into our day.

We have a basic schedule that we work our day around. 

The kids get their breakfast, morning chores, and independent school work done from 7:00-9:00 am. School starts formally (with me playing teacher) at 9:00. Or so. It all depends on the coffee maker, because at this point in our day I have been up for awhile, and need fresh coffee!

From 9:00 - 12:30 we do Bible, American History & Geography, Language Arts, Math and Science.  After lunch the kids work on special projects. Last week they did reports on animals, so they worked on that in the afternoons. Three times a week we also do short studies of Art/Poetry/Music.  

 The kids are usually finished with the daily work between 1:oo and 2:00. I spend the next hour or two grading papers from the day and getting things prepared for the next day. It's a lot of work, but it's doable.

I am enjoying the process and application that is homeschooling. I love getting to watch the kids learn, and learning more myself. In many ways I wish that I could have learned in a literature based curriculum because history comes to life through the power of story. 

All in all, homeschooling is a very positive thing.  I know it is right for both the kids and our family at this time in our lives. I like knowing what the kids are learning. 

But, I would be lying if I didn't mention that I am also grieving things in life that came with having children in more traditional schooling. I am used to seeing and talking to family/friends every day, in some form or another. Whether having lunch a couple times a week with friends or my mom and dad, hanging out at the gym, volunteering at the school or talking on the phone, my days were filled with relationship.

Making sure that we are home for most of the day to complete school is a bit isolating.  I can't visit with friends and teach third and fifth grade math at the same time! Although, just between you and me, I have tried... It just doesn't work.

The bottom line is that my time is no longer my own, and I am learning to cope with that. I have lessons to go over, and papers to grade and books to pre-read. It leaves precious little time to write, to sew, to hang out for hours doing my own thing! It's a full time job without the benefit of pay, or water-cooler chats with co-workers, or someone to tell you how you're doing. 

I have found that I am relearning the lesson that all parents learn when the honeymoon of parenting has long gone and the long nights of bleary-eyed feedings have ceased to be new: I am learning the lesson of selflessness. I am learning that in Christ I can do all things, and that I am never alone, although I sometimes feel lonely.

Now, before you feel sad for me, I am someone who doesn't stay lonely for long. I have good friends here in our new (old) home. I joined the local home school association last week, and before October is over we will have gone to three different field trips. I have joined our ladies bible study, and soon the kids will be in sports again. Soon I will have more than my plate can hold. 

I am learning more than head knowledge. I am learning more about myself; learning where I am weak and need God's encouragement; learning where I have strengths I never knew I had. 

I think God puts me in these types of situations a lot. He knows that I invest a lot of energy in putting my trust in "man". He knows that I often fill up and get energized by spending time with people; That sometimes I turn to people to fill me up, instead of turning to God.

This last week God reminded me that we may fail others or they may fail us, but God will never leave us(Deuteronomy 31:6). He is our friend (John 15:15). Our comforter (2 Cor. 1:3). He is our great Teacher (John 3:2). 

I am uncertain if I what I am feeling right now is Arizona-homesickness, or feeling isolation in a new place in life. I think it's a bit of both. 

So schooling at home is good. Great, even! I can't imagine not doing it right now, but there is a learning curve and it's much, much bigger than reading, writing and arithmetic.

It's pictures like these that help me remember why I do it at all....

The Girl in our schoolroom, studying spelling over a morning cup of hot chocolate.
The Boy enjoying a book about Squanto and the Pilgrims. 

Kona the Wondermutt: Learning at the School of Hard Knocks. School has not interfered with her social life. This morning she rolled in poop while visiting her neighborhood canine friends (we live in a very dog friendly neighborhood, where our dogs are free to visit each other). 

She is learning that when you play, you pay. She is learning what it's like to be an outside dog, until I can give her a bath this afternoon.

This wraps up our school adventure!  Aren't you sorry you asked?

;)

La Vida Dulce!