It's Veteran's Day

Today for the first time that I can remember, most of my children went to school on Veteran's Day.
 I, for one, think it's good thing.
My conscience is stricken realizing that today would have been like any other day off if they had not gone to school.
   Our children need to be taught to honor those who have served our country in the armed forces.
At my daughter's elem. school they have a wall plastered with little posters listing the names of veteran's our children know. Haley's poster lists "Grandpa", James P. Loghry, U.S. Air force ; "Poppa", Dorris Rushing, U.S. Navy; and uncle , Donald E. Loghry, U.S. Coast Guard. These are only a few that we could have named. Maybe next  year our list will be longer.
The school will have other activities to help our children celebrate the veterans. They all went to school wearing red, white and blue. Haley felt proud to wear the colors.

Much more of this kind of thing is needed as our country faces the future.   But most of all may we learn to pray without ceasing.        

It's a dreary day but I feel cheery.

I've done a whole mountain range of laundry this week.  Do you think laundry increases with cold weather?  I know the garments are all bigger.

"And the birdie says"

         I need to be reminded of the family members who wear these clothes, I love them all. I'm so glad they are here to fill them.
    Today 's verse on my flip calendar :  
         (Translation needed due to photo booth reversal)
    "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self seeking, it is not easily angered (ouch!), it keeps no record of wrongs (dbl ouch! ). Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth." 1Corinthians 13:4-5
           Timely? I'd say so.

Balsam jar candle burning in my kitchen. Am I needing to paint? Yep

 

I love the smell of evergreen trees. I would burn this year round if I could always get it.  Ever take a walk in a wood of pine on a warm summer's day. Ahh.

    I've been up to more than laundry naturally. Yesterday I went to AC Moore. Oh boy!   That's where I got the candle but I also got this:

pocket basket

I put it up empty cause it's pretty as is. I will fill it with seasonal flowers.  There is the lavender harvested from my L plant stuffed in it though.

Later I went to Good Will and I found this:

green sheep plate, isn't it pretty?

I really went looking for materials for my girls costumes next week.  They both go to AWANA. If you
are familiar with this they have Trunk -a- Treat as a Halloween christian alternative. This year's costume theme is "sports". The girls have decided to go as figure skaters. So I am getting their costumes together.
 Haley's second grade is also having "Literacy day" next Wednesday. They all get to come up with a costume or other idea to depict\ represent their favorite character from a book they read. Haley read a book of King Arthur stories called "Merlin and the making of the King".   She wants to dress up as "Vivien" The Lady Of the Lake.  A girl after my own heart.   I found some pale green fabric for $1.99 at Savers. That's the start.   I'll post pictures here when I'm all done.
What is AWANA? You can find out at www.awana.org

         Mom and Dad or Grandma and Grandpa Loghry went back to Rhode Island for the cold months.
They have a snug little inlaw apartment with my brother and family.  We'll see them at Thanksgiving - we go there- and Christmas - they spend the day here, and other random times they'll make a day trip to visit. Here is there little summer cottage , it's hibernating.

It will be disturbed in a few weeks as it is handy for squirreling christmas secrets away- under lock and key! Here is another view: That's out cottage in the front - - see the wee bit of green right in the center of the picture? That's G&G Loghry's place.
(Our yard needs some cleaning up.)
It's rather sad and cold without them.
Mom suggested that I put christmas lights in some of the windows to brighten it up for - well Christmas!

I'll close by sharing something more of my little world: This is "Buddy" and just like many other cats out there, he just feels compelled to crowd onto my lap with the laptop.
He's about 10 years old. He's been one of three pets, then 2, now it's just him.

Oh, I should not forget "Shrews-Berry":   See that little creature by the cat's dish? He's about the same color as Buddy but maybe a hundred times smaller.

 Right now there's a bunch of you out there saying eeooww! Well, you may , that is your right.

    I woud like to call him a "vagabond" but that doesn't truly suit. Oh no, he has set up housekeeping somewhere under the kitchen counter.  He thinks the cat food is his personal supply.  Have no fear, he will soon be "shown" the door, evicted. Meanwhile ,I fancy myself a bit of a modern day Beatrix Potter. After all without people like her we would've never had her delightful little children's books.

    I hope you appreciate these two little pictures of "Shrews-Berry". It took 34 takes!  He's just so fast.

Well, and that's all for now. Bye Bye!

 

Now it's my turn to say "Ta Da"

I finished this little wreath today.

I've been collecting these colors to crochet "mums" and other fall  flowers.


     As promised, pics have come to "Heatherish".
Thanks to my eldest son ,Wesley, for showing me how to download from the camera. So simple !

 We got these in just before the camera's batteries ran out.



So here's a peek into our little world.  

These were taken a few weeks ago.  The kitchen window and the window over my desk at the other end of the house.

And this is our living room .

I am employing much guess work to arrange pictures and text. This part's harder.


Last weekend, to kick off my husband's week  from work , we took a trip to New Hampshire. Specifically, Meredith ,Center Harbor and Moultonboro in the Lakes region.
 We lived there for 11 years. All the kids were born there. It holds a special place in our hearts, we will always count is as a blessing that for a season we were privileged to live there. We love the place for it's many charms but even a beautiful place is nothing compared to the people.    
This visit was long overdue. Ya know how life just keeps getting in the way.  Haley, our youngest, was only 4 months old when we moved away. We visited several times in the next few years but as it ended up, the last time was before Haley could remember.
 So, we packed the car and north we went. It was just a little visit, Saturday afternoon to Monday afternoon. We it was a wonderful tiring time though. Brad and I have been recuperating all week.

    Here are the highlights:  We arrived at our hostess' home.  The pastor and wife from the church we were members of opened their home to us. We made ourselves comfortable and rested through the evening.  I did take a little jaunt out to one of my favorite places to shop. The Etc. Shoppe in Meredith. It is one of the best consignment shops I've ever been in. I  bought  a pretty plack. It's the one in the center of the last living room  picture. I also picked up a small fleece blanket for Wesley to make a puppet with. (Sometime I'll tell you more about Wesley and his puppets etc.)

                          

 Our hostess' home is one of those places that children love. It is so fun just to look at the way the Mrs B. feathers the nest. My girls had a ball with the stuffed animals every where and the other dolls and toys under the stairs.  
The next day was a big day , Sunday!  We went our former, and much loved church, Calvary Bible in Meredith.





After the service we celebrated our "homecoming" with a family portrait.

We were brought up to date on the changes that have happened .
 We took pictures of some of them.
 A new wing added on making the sanctuary more handicap accessible.
 New bathrooms and a huge classroom on the second floor.    

 It's all just beautiful ,we are so happy for the way God has blessed them.
 The above pic was taken from the front parking lot. It looks down to Meredith Bay on Lake Winnipesauke.
 










  We spent the afternoon with dear friends on Lake Kanasatka in Moultonboro . We had a simple tasty lunch , fellowship, lots of memories,news  and laughs. They accompanied us up to our former home. We lived there for the seven years before we moved. Our then land lord was tickled to see us again. He is called by himself and other friends ," The Old Red Hill Bear". He is - a teddy bear with a big soft heart.   He also loves the Lord.
  We finally left our friends mid evening. We all a agreed it was one of the best times ever.
We were blessed to see them so happy together in their snug basement apartment over looking Lake K.

"The Old Red Hill Bear"

       Unfortunately, some of these pictures leave something to be desired. Perfectionism could prevent me from ever getting around to just doing it.

Our Hostess' Home .They like to call The Inn on Waukewan Ave.
 Add caption

Monday morning came too soon.  Soon it would be time to head south.
  First , while the guys watched a movie we girls went back up to Moultonboro to the Old Country store. This has always been a favorite too.  Sorry, no pic.  We got some souvenires to remember our time:  Me, a little bird figure and a sun catcher. I've always wanted to get one of their sun catchers.
They are simply round, solid handmade glass with a design in relief. I chose a purple one with a celtic knot design.  Gaelan, a toy car for her collection, Haley, a music box that plays Silent Night. For Owen, an eagle that balances on his beak and for Dad and Wesley, pencils made from a raw stick (bark still on it.)  Wesley had previously acquired a fidget toy at Cracker Barrel.  Everyone was pleased.
      With sadness we packed up the car, piled in and headed out.  The whole thing was topped off nicely when we stopped at the Concord Hospital to see two other friends (old Liberty U. friends). Mr. A had been admitted for an infection.  We had such fun visiting there in that hospital room.
   As always we prayed together before leaving ... and that was all.
     Now for the drive home, heavy traffic after a holiday weekend!          

perfectionism

I have a problem with it . That and procrastination. They don't go well together. I don't know that procrastination goes well with anything.
     Someday soon I will get pics posted here.

Meanwhile look at what I found in my email!

My Scottish heart | Journey Through Scotland

This blog will be!

I keep waiting to take pictures and post'em. Hang in there, I just know you're all sitting on the edge of your seats ;)

It looks like this going to be a slow launch...

...But hey, we acquired a new camera! Now I have to learn how to use it and download pictures etc.
Last week I painted my living room floor - sage - soon we will get a large area rug . Let me tell you the paint is a big improvement. Since I tore out the old carpeting a few years ago It had been just plain white painted but much worn plywood.
We have many projects planned for our little house. We've had others in progress for far too long and OH how I must have Philippians 4:11-13 INVADE my mind: ..." For I have learned how to get along whether I have much or little. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need." (NLT)
  I want to learn to live contentedly and graciously when projects go on hold for too long. I also have to learn how to manage our stuff (especially our kids stuff ,"I know how to live... with everything"or too much stuff). Of course, I know a big part of this is exercising parental authority and being a gracious -praying wife.
 Time to get out to the clothes line!

It's soo quiet!

 The rest of my crew are off to school today... the quiet feels a little weird but I'll get used to it.
Before I know it, it'll be time for my boys; the almost 16year old - - home from tech. Then hard on his heels will come my 17 year old. A half hour later ,12 year old girl and about another half hour later , 7 year old girl.
    The boys were all business this morning, off with no problem. Dad is up with them getting ready for work. 12ygirl got up with no problem, wanting to wear a dress. She looked so pretty getting on the bus, her long honey gold hair shining on her shoulders. 7ygirl woke up early and snuggled in bed with me until it was time for sister to get ready. She was excited\nervous,"my tummy hurts". My remedy: Sleepy Time tea. When sister was off she could hardly wait for her turn. "How many more minutes Mummy".
  Finally we got there and into her class room, we met her teacher, found her desk and then I took her little elfin face in my hands and kissed her. So many other parents had cameras (my husband and I left ours on a plane in Phoenix,AR. !)   I looked straight into her beautiful hazel\green eyes with the long gold lashes, her upturned nose, her smile missing that one top tooth (soon to be two). "Are you ready for Mummy to go", "Yes Mummy".     Off I went thinking "now I'll go home and write about this in my blog". There'll be no pictures just words to jog my memory of another precious moment.
 I often worry that I'm losing too many moments. I envy - ooh- envy my husband who remembers little things from years ago.
   Well, I've "et"my oatmeal; read in Ezekiel (This is year two for reading through the Bible in a year - I like to read it chronologically); read emails - Farmer's Almanac newsletter is predicting a more typical winter for us in the NEast, U.S. and Susan Branch is getting ready to redo her kitchen.
Now my washing machine just signalled to me with it's pleasant little song(yes my WM SINGS to me- - drier too). I may not have , well, lots of things, but I am thankful for my W &D that sing to me. Drier was "sick" this past spring but has been made well, Praise God. I do not say that in vain! Any of you who wash for a family any more than - -what? - - 2 , you know what I mean. I did come to appreciate my clothes line on those perfect drying days. The clothes line is a place to slow down smell the earth and think - -and pray.
Now, I've got to take courage, go upstairs and face those bedrooms!  We've been working to get more cooperation from the kids in that department - with mixed success. About 2-3 times a month I really have to get in there and do an overhall.
     I will not procrastinate any longer, so I will sign off for now. I hope someone finds me here soon! It will be so much fun to read your comments.

uhh...

It's come to that already!
One kid off to school today three more tomorrow. Poor things, I know how it feels.
    We'll be busy getting ready and right now that's all I can think about.
Happy day to you all.

Well...Here I go

I am starting out here on faith.
Instead of just thinking about it-
Instead of waiting till I've got everything "ready"
  Here I am, no pictures - -just thoughts I'm sending "OUT THERE".
I feel kind of nervous, a little scared.

So many of you bloggers have blessed me I hope to give back.
  I hope to minister to someone out there who has an open ear and heart to the good news of Jesus Christ.

I think blogging is a wonderful way for kindred spirits to find each other .
This is also a new mission field. We can follow Jesus'  command to go and make disciples in any part of the world without a plane ticket etc, etc.( Something my husband I pray for the opportunity to do one day).

I am also feeling a little lost and overwhelmed with the technical side of all this. Feel free to HELP Me.

I've got lots of things on my mind- - I have many interests! To me they are all related , at the same time they conflict. I can't do them all. How in the world do I prioritize them?
Here's a question for you: Do you have a unique hobby? Do your current responsibilities keep you from throwing yourself into it as much as you'd like? Or and maybe at the same time, are there other hobbies, interests, talents that beg for your attention but you can't decide which one to give your free time to?
This is me, very ADD, I think.
I'm just asking about how you prioritize your free time.

When all is said and done, Glorifying God in everything I do is my highest priority.