What else have I been up to this summer?

Well... as you may haave guessed... Fairs pretty much summed up my summer. However last week, Grace, Alatheia, and I all went down to my Grandma's to teach a Bible club.


It. Was. A. Blast.




We had WAY too much fun!



We went from 7 kids to 14 kids. The water balloon fight the last day really upped attendence. ;o) lol! Sadly, **cough cough** I had a wedding shower afterwards, so I couldn't get wet. Aww! lol!

Aaand... we had a blast on our "off time" too!

The mighty headhunter!

The bearded women!

Yeah! We had a blast!

Casting Cares...

For some reason I've had this song from NCHEA stuck in my head all day.


It's one I learned at 12 or so and it was a definate favorite. I always sang it to myself whenever life seemed tough! How sweet to know that no matter what happens to me, HE knows... and HE cares!

I cast all my cares upon you.

I lay all of my burdens down at your feet.

And anytime

I don't know

What to do,

I will cast all my cares upon you.

"Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." --1 Peter 5:77

Wondering where I've been?!

Hey y'all!




Have you been wondering if I dropped off the face of the earth?! Well ALMOST!!! It's NCHEA time! (Nebraska Home Educator's Association)


As most of you know, I have been homeschooled since 1st grade. Growing up, mom and dad always went to the NCHEA conference where they had a curriculum fair, speakers, ect... They always either had to leave us kids with Grandma and Grandpa or only one of them would go.


Well... The past 4 years now, we've done a "Kid's Conference" that runs concurrently with their conference and it's a TOTAL blast! I am one of 8 core staff that spends from about Sept-April planning and organizing this amazingly fun weekend! We had over 250 kids this year!!! It's been absolutely AMAZING to see it GROW!

This year's theme was "The Legacy," in which 5 orphan children travel throughout Europe to find the inheritance that their parent's left them during WW II.

We had 4 countries represented... Germany, Holland, Italy, and FRANCE! I was, of course, the one in french attire. :o)

Boy, was it fun! (Besides the fact that I've developed a hatred for heels!!!)

Been watching everyone else's blogs for pictures and here's what a few of them posted!

• Here's a slideshow that my brilliant cousin, Ruth put together!

• My AMAZING photographer of a cousin, Bethany has the storyline of the drama in pictures as well as some other fun pictures of the whole time! How many pictures did you take, Bethany?? 941?!

• A good friend from church, Anna B. (AKA "Louise") posted a few pictures too!

• UPDATE: Another family from church, the Grady's also posted some fun pics!

• UPDATE: Another friend that I've know from CYIA forever, Kristin T. has lots of pics too!

• UPDATE: And ANOTHER friend from church, our own AMAZING Alatheia: Props and Costuming Coordinator, has more pictures!

• UPDATE: The Ulmer's also posted pictures! We've know them for years and years!!

I'll add other's names once they post any pictures too! (It's a popular theme this week, it seems!)

I've been tagged!

Okay y’all!
I was tagged by Margo a while back to share seven interesting things about myself… And I must not be too interesting, because it took me a while to think up seven!! Whatever te case... Here we go! :o)



* I was eating pizza with the stuffed crust method before it was even invented! As long as I can remember, I’ve always eaten the crust first, then the rest.

* At age 3, I fell out of our apartment window… Three stories high. And I didn’t break a single bone! I told all the nurses that “Jesus caught me.”

*I’ve been deer hunting since I was 8… I would get up at the crack of dawn to go out with Dad until I got my own license at 12. Now we still go out at the crack of dawn! It’s our yearly thing we do… Just him and I!

*As a little girl, I wanted to be a rancher with my cousin, Kristin when we grew up. We decided one day that we’d probably have to each get married… That way it would be 2 less guys we’d have to hire! :o) lol

* I have chewed my nails as long as I can remember… Trust me… It’s a horrid habit! I tried everything for YEARS to break myself of it, and nothing ever worked. But just recently, I stopped biting my nails one at a time. I have never ever heard of anything like it, but it worked! I now have 10 nice nails! Fancy that!!

* “And I’ve never been to Boston in the fall!” –In my best Larry the Cucumber voice -- I’ve been to 3 out of 4 corners of the United States… Washington state, California, and Florida. Someday I need to make it out east yet! :o)

*Growing up, mom and dad always read to us every night. My favorites were the Dr. Seuss ones! “Horton Hatches an Egg…” “Cat and the Hat…” “The Lorax…” “Green Eggs and Ham…” “Yertle the Turtle…” “The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins…” “McElligot’s Pool…” However, ONLY dad read anything Dr. Seuss. Mom absolutely refused to read anything that involved Sneetches, Grinches, Zaxes and Zooks.


So there you go! Now you know a little more about me! :o)

I’m supposed to tag 7 more people, so I am going to tag:

Bethany

The Wissmann Family

Josiah

Kate

Olive Plants

Ulmer Family

Only in Nebraska...

Only in Nebraska can you go from...

Almost 50 degrees and just enough mist to create the most vivid double rainbow I have EVER seen...

To sub-zero and a winter wonderland!

All in only a week!

Gotta love NEBRASKA!!!

'Tis the Season!

'Tis the season! And I love it! I know I keep saying it, but we have so very many fun traditions that we do every Christmas. Last night... we put up the tree.

We found this particular tree... And... Get this... I drove dad's truck to get it! Not any truck, but a MANUAL transmission! For your information, I have made it a habit never to drive anything with a clutch. I once learned on a Dodge Shadow. *sigh* However, I had a few too many bad experiences that usually involved spinning out or killing it. But... Out of necessity, I ended up driving dad's truck. And it wasn't too bad, either!!! I know... I know, Ragnar.... Go ahead in interject here the, "I told you, you could do it!" :o)

Another tradition we have is drinking root beer in "Frosty Mugs" on the night we decorate the tree. "Frosty Mugs" are glass mugs we've left in the freezer. Then when you put liquid... Root Beer in this case... it's will turn cold and slushie. Yum! They're the best!

Don't worry.... We have LOTS of fun traditions we do every year... Memories to make...

I'll be sharing more with you soon! :o)

A Start on Christmas Decorating...

Well.... We've started Christmas decorating around here! I absolutely love decorating for Christmas! Here's a glimpse into a few of the nooks and crannies we've beautified so far! :o)

Remember this old doctor's bag I got for 1.00 at an auction? Well here it is again! Filled with pine cones... Vintage ornaments... And other Christmas odds and ends. It's one of my favorites!

This is the curio cabinet in the dining room. It's so pretty with pine boughs, poinsettias, Christmas garland, and of COURSE twinkle lights!!! :o)

When I bought all that Christmas junk a few months ago at the rainy auction... There was an entire box full vintage ornaments. I am having so much fun with them! I'm arranging them here and there in crystal bowls and other fun containers I've accumulated. Which is a lot! :o)

The fireplace mantle is now complete and Christmas-y!

Merry Christmas Ya'll!!!

Let it snow... Let it snow... Let it snow!!!

"Oh the weather outside is frightful...

But the fire is so delightful!

Since we've no place to go....

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!!!"

The first Snow!

I love it!!! That first fresh snow!
As the sun peaked through my window this morning, I finally decided to get up. My bed was so cozy and warm... I did, however have a long, busy day ahead. I turned to look out my window and was greeted with this beautiful sight of our first snow. There was just enough to barely cover the still green grass, and leaving a dusting on everything else. I love snow! Especially when I don't have to go out into it!!! :o) lol I mean, that occational snowball fight or sledding spree is a blast, but I absolutely love being snowed in!

So.... To ya'll out there....

Have a white Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Craving....

Do you ever get an intense craving for something? Something sweet… Something with apples… And cinnamon… And crumb topping… I did just a few days ago, so out came my favorite “Apple Crisp” recipe. It is without a doubt one of the easiest things to make EVER! It only took me 15 minutes or so. And I’ve been making this since I was very young...
I love it! So… I’m sharing with you all! :o)


~ Apple Crisp ~
3 c. Sliced Apples 2 Tbsp. Flour
1 c. Sugar Pinch of salt

Crumb together:
¾ c. Rolled Oats ¼ tsp. Soda
¾ c. Flour ¼ tsp. Baking Soda
¾ c. Brown Sugar 1/3 c. Melted Butter or Oleo

Press over the apples. Bake at 350 until golden brown, or apples are done.


You can also use pretty much anything instead of apples. Peaches happen to be my absolute favorite! Topped with a bit of ice cream.... YUM!!!

It's been a busy week!!!

I know... I know.... It's been FOREVER since I've blogged! This week has been CRAZY busy! Our candle season is in full swing leaving little to no time for my trashy behavior! ;o)

I've been wanting to post pictures of all the wonderful junk I got on an auction last Saturday, but I haven't been able to even take pictures. "Why?" you ask... Well, it has not been very good weather lately. I have not seen the sun since last Friday. *sigh* But as soon as it pokes it's sunny face through the clouds, pictures will be sure to come!

So... despite not having any pictures... I will share with you the adventure I embarked upon last Saturday.


I awoke to the dreary, drip-drop sound on my window early Saturday morning. I was thrilled! Rainy auctions are great! Nobody comes! Yay! Makes for exciting buys, it does!
This particular auction was located a mere 2-3 miles from our house. Oh joy! We made our way there and to my great satisfaction, the only people there were all guys. Old guys. (With the exception of one particular fellow who was somewhere around my age... He had the most serious case of plummer's pants I have ever seen in my entire life! No offence to the plummers out there who might be reading this! ;o) lol)
It had the makings of definately being my kind of auction! ;o) My only grief being the fact that those old guys are a bit difficult when fighting over tools. But reguardless of that fact... I got absolutely adorable tables for a mere 1.00... Beautiful enamelware for next-to-nothing... It was great! I even bought a drill press. Which in itself brought about a conversation that still has me laughing! It went something like this:

I was over in a corner looking through a huge pile of some Christmas junk I had just gotten when behind me I heard a group of guys talking.

Guy 1: Hey... I need this drill press moved so I can get my truck in here. Anyone know who bought it?

Guy 2: Yeah... Ummmm.... I think a girl bought it.

Guys 1, 3, and 4: No way.... Come on.... Who really bought it.

Guy 2: No! I'm serious! It was some girl! She had her son with her. (Note: *Ahem!* That would be my little brother, Caleb)

It was SO funny! I guess I'm just not quite the "normal" gal, am I?!? lol You should have seen the looks on Guy 1, 3 and 4's faces when I turned around, smiled at them and sweetly said, "Oh! That's mine... Would you like it moved?" Priceless!!! :o)

I'll be sure to post pictures as soon as it clears up outside!

Meanings of roses....

I am working on getting the roses up on my new website.... So I decided to research the meanings of the different colors of roses. I decided it might come in handy later! ;o)

Thought you all might enjoy what I've found!


Roses themselves express love and admiration. However each color has a traditional, special meaning that can express your true feelings for someone, whether it be friendship or romance. Here is a list of the various colors and the symbolic message they each convey.


A red rose says, “I love you.” It’s romance, passion, respect, and adoration all wrapped up in one single rose.

A light pink rose says, “I admire you.” It’s elegance, style, beauty, and charm!

A dark pink rose says, “thank you.” It is appreciation and gratitude.

A white rose says, “You are pure.” It’s innocence, respect, remembrance and hope.

A yellow rose says “You are a dear friend!” It evokes strong feelings of pure joy happiness, and friendship.

A yellow rose with red tips says, “You are more than a friend.” It symbolizes the transformation from a friendship to a budding romance.

An orange or peach rose says, “You are exciting.” It’s blazing energy, desire, passion, and a fervent romance.

A red and white rose says, “I will be here for you forever.” It’s unity, harmony, honesty, and trust.

A Burgundy rose says, “ You are beautiful!” It’s unconscious beauty.

A lavender rose says, “I fell in love with you at first sight.” It’s enchantment, attraction, and delight.

A blue rose says, “ You are mysterious.” It’s intrigue, fascination and attraction.



There you go!! Now you know!

Someone sent me roses!!!

Some guy from New Mexico sent me roses! 800 roses to be exact! I don't know... Seems like a bit of overkill to me, but... Who am I to complain? Just call him overly amorous!

Okay... Okay... To be perfectly honest... I don't even know the guy. In fact... I had to pay him to send them. So it's not the sweet, loving, romantic act I made it out to be... But that doesn't make me any less excited!!! :o)

I ordered 800 wooden roses... They are beautiful! I am so excited about them! They are handcrafted out of birch wood. They look SO real! I love them! We add scent to them and they smell BEAUTIFULLY! They make incredible car fresheners! ;o)

I'm hoping to do a craft show with my "junk" and our candles this fall, so I'll bring them along too. And even if I don't sell any, I'm having so much fun giving them away!!! It's a cheap way to make a smile!!

Waiting...

I was really searching tonight… and so I opened my Bible and my eyes lit upon Psalm 40. My heart almost stopped beating when I saw verse 1. It said,

“I waited patiently for the LORD and He inclined unto me and heard my cry.”

Then it went on in verses 2-4.

“He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock and established my goings. And He has put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God. Many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. Blessed is the man that maketh the LORD His trust…”

And the chapter goes on. It’s so encouraging! And my desire for my own life!!!
NOTE TO MYSELF: Go back and read Psalms 40 when discouraged!

As I read verse 1, the thought crossed my mind… What does it mean to “wait on the LORD?” I looked at the sidebar in my Bible and saw that it said, “Waiting for God. Ps. 130:6.” So off I went to see what it said.

“My soul waiteth for the LORD more than they that watch for the morning; I say, more than they that watch for the morning.”

I then noticed that I had already underlined the previous verse, which meant it had spoken to me before. It said,

“I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait. And in His word do I hope.”

How good my God is to give me what I need to hear when I need to hear it!

Happy Birthday, Dad!!

Dad... I know a few days late in posting this.... But......

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

I love you Dad!

My favorite season....

I know I already wrote an "Ode to Fall," but...

I think I decided which season is my favorite!


I mean, I love them all... but I never could decide between Spring or Fall. I've decided my favorite is Fall! (Of course I'll probably change my mind when Spring rolls around after a long cold winter! :o) lol) But I love the crisp mornings... The warm-but-not-hot days.... The vivid colors of the maple leaves... The long walks... I love it!

Autumn...

It seems as if summer suddenly switched to the crisp mornings and cooler nights that autumn inevitably brings. I love this time of year when we roast marshmallows over a bonfire… The leaves start to turn brilliant colors… The farmers work in their fields to get the year’s harvest in… The squirrels dash madly around… The geese call out overhead as they head south promising to be back just as soon as the ice begins to melt in the spring. Doesn’t it just make you want to go make a hot cup of apple cider!

I love Fall!

Weekend Seminar...

Hey!

It's another post!

Here's what I kept busy doing this last weekend! :o) Emily Weddle (Emily Sue Weddle, that is!) asked me to come down to Lindsborg, KS for a seminar. I taught the balloon class and the clowning class. It was SO fun! THANKS for asking me to come, Em! **Sniff Sniff** Brings back so many special memories.

After the seminar, we went to the Weddle's Uncle's grocery store and had a kid's party for all the children that had come to the area 5-Day Clubs a few weeks prior. I did balloons...

There was also gospel handpainting... I brought our cotton candy... Tim did games and watermelon seed spitting contests... Samantha did the "Secret of the Watermelon" Story...

And also, as part of the clowning class... We divided the class into 2 teams and had them each nominate someone to become a "clown." (Thanks Tim!!! Great idea!!!) They each had to pick a name, character, outfit, and just a bit of makeup. This fellow, (I can't even remember his name) was a total natural! He was GREAT! The things he came up with, were HYSTERIAL!!! lol Anyway, he and the other guy who were "clowns" for the class, also came that evening and clowned around. It was great!!! :o)

All the smiles... What fun!!!

5-Day Clubs...

Hey ya'll!

I'm back!

I've been down at Grandma's house in Falls City teaching 5-Day clubs. (A 5-Day Club is a Bible club held one hour a day for five days in a row)

We had 2 clubs going all week. It was a blast! Grace Waldo and of course Jenny and I all taught.

I found something out though... Grace is a terrible prankster! :o) She hid my car... Jumped out of the closet and REALLY scared Jenny... And the list goes on. Of course I had to repay her antics with a few of my own! Filling her pillow case with ice cubes... Waking her up by dumping a cup of water on her.... Yeah! It was fun! :o) lol

It really was such a blessing to teach all these kids, some of whom had never heard the gospel, about my Lord Jesus.

It was also very exciting seeing some of the kids that just keep coming over the years.

I've been doing this 8 or so years... And the kids that were just tiny when I started are all grown up. *sniff sniff* Makes me feel old!!! :o) lol

Ahhhh.... Yes.... More memories!

Goin' to the zoo, zoo, zoo.....

"Oh I'm goin' to the zoo, zoo, zoo,

How about you, you, you?

You can come too, too, too,

Goin' to the zoo, zoo, zoo."

A trip to one of the best zoo's in the U.S.A!!!

Henry Doorly Zoo...

We're so blessed to have it so close! We got a season pass yesterday, so if anyone wants to go with me sometime... LET'S GO!

Persons involved with yesterday's rendezvous include Mom, Caleb, Jenny, Bailey, Aunt Sharon, my cousin Kristin, (who is leaving for college in the boonies of Missouri soon) and ME! We had a good 'ol time!!!

They have a lot of new stuff too! The gorilla complex has been completely re-done. Whey have an orangutan building that was pretty cool. They have a new butterfly house coming soon too! :o)

The aquarium is SO cool! I LOVE the aquarium! Actually, a word to the wise... If you're planning on popping the question any time soon... The part where you walk through the tunnel would be SUCH a cool place! "You're the only fish in the sea for me." Awwww.... Let me know how it works out for you! :o) lol

Anyhoo... Just thought I'd let you know what I've been up to! :o)