First snow of the season! (10/10/09)

The weather has turned off cold WITH SNOW already!  That fact, coupled with my recent discovery of hardwood floors under my living room carpet (and a layer of really ugly linoleum) has prompted me to contemplate other home improvement projects around here.  One in particular is my back room.  I’m pretty sure it used to be a porch, which probably means it’s not insulated very well, if at all.  That would be okay, except it’s now being used as my office/sewing/laundry/mud room!  Last winter I wore gloves when I was building websites and creating videos in there.  Now that I don’t have a business, I can concentrate on making my house more…homey.  Making a room warmer will require more than just some redecorating. Read the rest of this entry »

Why did you use those kind of apples? Lesson!

I became a little frustrated with Hannah today.  She insisted that she needed to return a book to the library that she hadn’t read yet, but she was sure she wouldn’t be needing it…she would just read it from the disc on the computer.  I said, “Let’s hang onto it for a little while longer…you might need it after all.  What if something happens to the computer or one of the other kids is on it when you want to read…you’ll have the book for backup.”  After several pleas of “Mom, can’t we just take it back?” I replied, “Fine then!  We’ll take it back.  You can’t see more than one way to do anything!  That’s a character trait you got from your father!  He’s just like that!” Read the rest of this entry »

I’ve been walking three miles daily for the past few weeks now.  I have a lot of time to think during that time.  Yesterday, this top 10 list popped into my head and I wanted to share it with you.  I’m posting two versions as a reminder that one needs to have a good sense of humor above all.  It would be too easy to get down on myself for weighing so much.  These lists keep me in balance. Read the rest of this entry »

Just entered our pet URL (1 1/2 year old miniature schnauzer) in the Cutest Dog contest  presented by All American Pet Brands below. Please vote for him once a day, every day! He IS VERY CUTE!

I’d say I have a pretty healthy self-esteem.  I am realistic about who I am and where I ‘fit in’.  I consider the big picture while ticking off the daily task list.  I’m an optimist who uses good doses of sarcasm to make my point…occasionally.

I have armed you with this information so you won’t have to worry about me or be alarmed when I make this next statement:

I am fat! Read the rest of this entry »

The growth of home-schooling: Kitchen Classroom Conservatives.

The Economist: August 6, 2009

Disclaimer

I am not a “political activist’.  Am I opinionated?  Maybe.  Do I feel strongly about some issues?  Definitely!  I usually read an article, state my opinion to anyone nearby at the time (whether they hear me or not) and then move on.

For some reason, this article struck a chord with me.  I thought, ‘Wait!  I have a blog!  I can talk about this!’  LOL!  So here it is: my two cents. Read the rest of this entry »

Welcome to Nebraska!

When we arrived in Nebraska, I was quickly reminded of how far we were from home.  We didn’t know ANYONE here.  We had no clue where Pete was going to work, or where we would live.  There were still lessons to be learned.  My understanding of grace would be tested again.  I’ve come to know that it means…letting God do for you, the things you cannot do for yourself. Read the rest of this entry »

Our Missouri Home - Up for Sale

Whew!  I really thought I would wrap this up in 4 or 5 posts.  Here we are at #7!  Maybe I need to take the “mini” out of this series.  LOL!

On Saturday, we left off as we were driving away from our home in Missouri.  I thought I would never be so glad to leave somewhere…except that we were leaving Stephanie behind.  Just saying that breaks my heart.  I wish we didn’t ever have to say good-bye to our kids, even if it’s only temporary.  Inhale deeply…tell the rest of the story Tammy. Read the rest of this entry »

Visit to a park in Kansas.

Today we are going to travel back to New York.  But, first I have to tell you something.  I didn’t realize I was miserable.  I had no idea!  The mere mention of going back to New York thrilled me.  It was a surprising revelation.

I wasn’t connecting with anyone at church; not that I didn’t try.  We went to small groups and our kids were involved in Sunday school and youth group.  I was going to Weight Watchers meetings every week, sometimes twice a week.  When Pete had a work function, we would go and rub elbows with co-workers.  There had to be opportunity somewhere there to meet new people and form friendships.  It didn’t happen. Read the rest of this entry »

We definitely took the long way to Nebraska.  First we stopped in Missouri for about 7 months, back to New York for just as many…THEN to Nebraska.  We’ve been here for four years.  I don’t think any of it was a mistake.  In today’s post, I will start to share with you my reasoning.  Get ready…here’s where I get to tell you about the spiders!

Part 2 in this mini-series is definitely out of place.  If you put it after part 4, this story will make much more sense to you.  I may physically change them later; we’ll see.  For now, please accept my apologies for “jumping ahead”. Read the rest of this entry »