Hey there!

Sorry this entry is so late.
Blogger was down.
Friday Feast is on delay.
I'm in a quandry over what to write.

Some days I come to the blog with an idea.
Some days, not.

Sept. 30th looms large.
It has for thirty-two years.
Sept. 30th is the anniversary of our parent's death.

So I thought about it all day yesterday. Not sad and morbid thoughts, just 'what should I talk about' thoughts.

I looked for a poem, I didn't find one.
I looked for a quote, I didn't find one.
I tried to download a song, it didn't work.

It's been such a long time. I don't feel very sad.
I just think things like, Emma is the age I was when my parents died.
Wow.

Thoughts like that.

When Katie turns seven, I will think; Katie is the age Janice and Janet were when Mom and Dad died.

When I went to bed last night, I thought; tonight is the night Mom and Dad died.
Kinda matter of factly.

I don't feel depressed and blue today. I just think about our parents a little bit more.

I remember them.
I long for them.
I wish they hadn't died so young.


Oh, darn, I just made myself cry.

I remember you,
Donna

I don't think there is anything better than child who is excited about life.

Last night was Katie's second night of Awana.
She thought it was 'crazy hair' night.

So I searched for the information sheet to find out for sure.

It was not 'crazy hair' night. It was 'wear your pajamas' night.

Best thing ever!

Who doesn't love wearing your pajamas out of the house?

:o) Contagious Joy!


__________

And just so you know, I don't believe all the press....


Ten Weird or Unpleasant things about me.

My fingernails and toenails grow freakishly fast.
I laugh very loud and have been hissing strangely of late.
I am told that...I snore.
It takes me a long time to remember names.
My legs are hairy much of the time.
I talk too much.
I sing out loud in the car. No matter who is in the car with me. I don't know the words.
I can not spell the most common words.
I eat olives and cream cheese on my bagels. And if I had cashews, I would add those too!
I smell my fingers.

Now that's weird.



So there you go. This blog is 'the good parts version' of the story.
The part of me that hopes to encourage and lift up.

But, believe me, there are unpleasantries....galore :o)


Encourage one another,
Donna

Well...

I wake this morning with a fuzzy, happy-hangover from all the amazing birthday wishes.

I feel just like George Bailey.

"The richest man in town."

Thank you all.

And Leslie, is the tune to your husband's birthday song a familiar one?
I would love to learn it.

A glad & happy birthday, we wish you, Donna dear,
And may our Heavenly Father send birthday joy and cheer!
A happy,happy birthday! All beautiful with love! And glad with many blessings, from our dear Lord above.
Now we will pray together, that He will keep you still,
And make the next year happy, And help you do His will.
A happy, happy birthday! All beautiful with love! And glad with many blessings, from our dear Lord above!

Even tho it should not be allowed...two bad things happened on my birthday.

The homeschool soccer team lost a hard fought game.
Two of the players on our team were hurt.
No one ever likes to see that :o(


The second bad thing that happened on my birthday was that the Black Family was eliminated from The Amazing Race:The Family Edition.

First of all, their name was priceless, because the Black family was truly the only black family in the race. I usually don't learn the players names until the race is almost over and I give them descriptive names instead; the models, the father and son, the sisters, the bowling moms, the gay guys, the wrestlers. That sort of thing.

So the fact that the Black family was black was perfect.
And besides that they were the kindest parents; they were gentle, talked sweetly to their two boys and treated one another with respect.

But then they came in last.
I think they were too kind and gentle for a race.
You gotta be a little manic to win The Amazing Race.
The Black family was not.


One last Amazing Race query.
Why, oh why, did it take the kids in the orange shirts so long to push the Amish buggy?
We thought they were pushing it all the way to the blue silos!
Yikes.



I spotted this question over at Question of the Day.

You've been asked to make a major change to any sporting game, in order to make it more interesting. You can change anything about it, the rules, the playing surface, the makeup of the teams, whatever you want, but it can only be one change. What game are you changing, and what will the change be?

~See comment box for answers.


Thanks again for giving me the best birthday!
I had a ball :o)

And so you don't think I am getting a big head over all the compliments, I can't stop thinking of a funny meme; List five weird, odd or gross things about yourself, that most people don't know.

Perhaps we can do that tomorrow :o)


Encourage one another,
Donna

Birthday cake


Why is birthday cake so good?
I love it oh so much!
It's good to eat - but even more -
I think it's nice to touch!

It's squashy pink and sticky white
And stuffed with special goo.
With candy roses on the top -
One time my piece had two!

I like to blow the candles out.
I like to make the wish.
But more than all I like to lick
The frosting off the dish.

Now sundaes are quite wonderful.
Banana splits are fine.
But birthday cake is something else -
Especially if it's mine!

~Bobby Katz

With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come.
~ William Shakespeare

Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting; The soul that rises with us, our life's star, Hath had elsewhere its setting, And cometh from afar; Not in entire forgetfulness, And not in utter nakedness, But trailing clouds of glory do we come from God, who is our home.
- William Wordsworth

There was a star danced, and under that was I born.
- William Shakespeare Much Ado About Nothing


I would not say I was born under a lucky star, but a grateful one, yes.


Those of you who were here last year know the drill...
This year I am 48 years old....so I would love to receive 48 comments!

Think it can be done?
You betcha :o)


The girls are still asleep, but I awoke to two cards from my honey, sitting at keyboard and two e-cards. One e-card from Patrick Sr. (after 25 years he is getting the hang of this) and one from my first friend, Cathy.

Cathy and I were childhood playmates. She grew up to be a Dr. in Chicago and was recently married for the first time (three summers ago). Her birthday greeting contained the very best news; she is expecting twins! These are very longed for babies and it's just the happiest news!

Excuse me while I cry and do a happy dance :o)

I just opened the cards from Patrick; one funny and one 'religious serious.'
Both very good cards :o) Thank you!

So I'm headed for a great day!
Help me celebrate my birthday by leaving a comment.
Any old thing will do.


Life is beautiful!

Donna

And, what do you know....The Amazing Race Premires tonight!
Thank you very much :o)

Ben Stein

Everytime I listen to a Ben Stein piece, I am so impressed.
Read his article on Religion and Politics.

_______________________________



Are you overwhelmed? Is homeschooling weighing you down?


Let me encourage you to read a most thoughtful and helpful post written by MFS. This piece was written in response to a overwhelmed mother on The Well Trained Mind boards earlier this month.

Melissa writes poignantly about living joyfully with her family.
The accumulation of little things

__________________________

And let me just rave here a little bit about Grey's Anatomy.
What excellent writing! Wow.

I even shed a tear.

Tenderness gets me every time.

______________________


One last thing.

Tomorrow is a very important day.
Make sure you come back

and be ready to leave a comment.



Encourage one another,
Donna

A Sunday post for Teri




From the Bible Study, Called to Obedience by Mr. and Mrs. Dowell

Things we learn from the "great escapes" in the Bible

* God fits even our mistakes into His plan.

* God will not forget His promises.

* God's plan weaves lives together in a pattern beyond our understanding.

* Without dependence on God and His guidance, even great ability is wasted.

* God has a purpose for every life, which leads to a real adventure for those willing to cooperate.

* God can use extraordinary means to carry out his plan-often when we least expect it.

'God has a purpose for every life'
That kind of statement fills my heart with hope.
For everyone.


Encourage one another,
Donna

Sun Prairie Water Tower


I took the above picture for y'all yesterday as Katie and I bummed around Sun Prairie.

I sure do love old architecture.

We will head back to Sun Prairie today for a soccer tournament.
All day.

Go Tigers :o)


Happy Saturday to one and all!

Encourage one another,
Donna

Friday Feast

Appetizer
Name something someone has done lately that impressed you.

Soup
Do you have any relaxing rituals? If so, what are they?

Salad
If you could spend the winter season somewhere other than your current location, where would you choose to stay?

Main Course
When was the last time you had dinner out, and what was the name of the restaurant?

Dessert
If you had a boat, what would you name it?




Paula Rubino


Do I have relaxing rituals? HA! You Betcha.
Find them in the comments box.


Did anyone watch The Donald last night on The Apprentice?
Pretty standard stuff.
Helpful hint for your next job interview:

Don't tell the boss you intimidate all women and can not work well with women.

Duh.

Buh-Bye.

And then there was Survivor.
I did not see most of the show...but I got the gist in the last 10 minutes.

When whatever team it was, kicked off the cute, skinny, lazy chick, I couldn't have been more happy.

Finally they kicked off the lazy girl.

Every season has one. And every season they hang on.

I like the cast this year and the show should be fun to watch.

I'm cheering for the ex-football player. (Who is hiding the fact that he was a quarterback in the NFL for 15 years.)

***Here ends the season's first edition of tv-talk.
Not to be confused with Table Talk.
hee hee


Fall blew into town last night and it sure feels fine!
Do you have a pumpkin yet? It's almost time :o)

Fill your day with love :o)

and

Encourage one another,
Donna

Good morning.
It's good to be home.

I took the girls with me to the funeral yesterday. It was very nice to chat with Emma in the car. She is not very talkative so I enjoyed every little story she shared.

I tried to give her background on the aunts and uncles and cousins that she would be meeting. By the drive home, I think she has them all figured out.


We were a very close family.
We all lived in the Chicago area.
There were birthdays, christening, picnics, Greek Easter, Thanksgivings, Christmases and Weddings...

Then we moved away. Now we only see our cousins when there is a funeral.

But, you would not believe the amazing bond we feel when we see one another.
Man, everyone looks so different. But our hearts are so comfortable with one another.

The bond is strong and really surprises me.

I once read an article about bonds we form when we are very young, that these bonds are among the strongest. I believe it is true.


At one point during the wake my cousin Linda ( who is one of the cousins who just lost her mother) plopped down on a couch with myself and our cousin Karen. It was the most natural thing in the world, the three of us sitting together on that couch.
And we haven't seen or spoken to one another in ten years. Not even a Christmas card!
But we were perfectly at ease and comfortable.


This feeling was not mine alone. A few of us mentioned that it would be wonderful to get together again...not just for funerals.
Yes! I'm there :o)


So, would you like to share your experiences with family reunions?
Share the details and dos and don'ts, if you will.

I really would love to see this happen :o)

Aunt Lola was remembered as kind, loving, and never complaining.
She was the sweetest of ladies and she will be missed greatly.
It's no wonder her children are warm and loving.

Cousins are our siblings once removed,
Our relatives without the complications.
Unsatisfying as some friends may prove,
Sweet cousins are the purest of relations.
In cousins there's a friendship of the blood.
No friends can share such natural vibrations,
So long requited, honest, rich, and good.
-Nicholas Gordon

Off to start the day.

xxoo

Encourage one another,
Donna

Be Strong

Be strong!
We are not here to play, to dream, to drift;
We have hard work to do, and loads to lift;
Shun not the struggle-face it; 'tis God's gift.

Be strong!
Say not, "The days are evil. Who's to blame?"
And fold the hands and acquiesce-oh shame!
Stand up, speak out, and bravely, in God's name.

Be strong!
It matters not how deep intrenched the wrong,
How hard the battle goes, the day how long;
Faint not-fight on! To-morrow come the song.

Maltbie Davenport Babcock

Wouldn't that poem make nice copywork?

After the comforting has been done...I think we can all use a big dose of courage.

Press on.
Be strong.


"We are not here to play, the dream, to drift"
Bummer.

Be strong.


And hey! If your were a man with the name Maltbie you might need this kind of encouragement to make it through grade school! :o)


*************

Question of the Day

If you were to describe your personality using a Native American name, what would it be?

For instance: Kicking Bird, Stands with a fist, Dances with Wolves, Wind in his Hair, Smiles a Lot, Moondove.


And if you've ever thought it would be cool to have a tepee/tipi,
check out this site;

Earthworks Tipis


Encourage one another,
Donna

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.
Psalms 28:7

Our Aunt Lola died on Friday night.
She and Uncle Don were Sue and my godparents.
She liked the title of Godmother. She signed her cards, Your Godparents.
She had a lovely Greek Accent.

Wednesday I will head to Lake Forest to pay my respects. I look forward to hearing stories of Aunt Lola and looking into the faces of cousins and family that I have not seen in over ten years. Their faces are full of history.

Uncle Mel will be there. He is my father's only living sibling. I know I will see my father's eyes when I look at his milky brown eyes.

I will see family resemblances.
And when you have lived far away from family for a long time, they
are very welcome.

I am sorry I did not have the chance to look one last time into Aunt Lola's eyes.

Death is a wretched thing.

Yet, I hope to see her reflected in her children, my cousins.



A funeral is the most bitter-sweet of all things.

Encourage one another,
Donna

Soccer talk

Emma scored two goals last night! Both shot from midfield.
How exciting!



I think it was the braids :o)



Here are Emma's best friends. This also happens to be my sign language class :o)

I signed 'See you later' to the girls as I walked away and they giggled with glee because they understood what I was saying! Cute.

*******

I sure enjoyed the answers to the questions yesterday. Especially 'What do you strive for in life'.

And, Wendy, I was truly mystified to learn that you have not had a candy bar since your were a teen. Amazing! Really! I suppose that is how you keep your California-slim body...along with running on the tread mill! Wow!

I thought everyone bought bags of Kit Kats and had giant bars of Hershey Chocolate with almonds lying around the house....
And Halloween....no candy on Halloween...isn't that what Halloween is all about?

"What you see before you, my friend, is the result of a lifetime of chocolate..."
Katherine Hepburn

Researchers have discovered that chocolate produces some of the same reactions in the brain as marijuana. The researchers also discovered other similarities between the two but can't remember what they are.
Matt Lauer (NBC Today Show Host)

I never thought I had anything in common with Katherine Hepburn.
I see, now, I do.


Have a great weekend!
Go Pack!

Encourage one another,
Donna

Friday Feast


Snack
What is your favorite candy bar?

Soup
If you could wake up tomorrow with a new talent, what would it be?

Salad
Name a household cleaning item that you would recommend to others.

Main Course
What do you strive for in life?

Dessert
On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how funny do you consider yourself?





This is a great product for keeping enamel kitchen sinks clean and stainless.



And because my photo host is up and running again...I will share a photo.
A rare photo of Katie and her mommy.




Gotta run...lots to do today!

Encourage one another,
Donna

Storing September

You ask me what I did today.
I could pretend and say,
"I don't remember."
But, no, I'll tell you what I did today--
I stored September.
Sat in the sun and the let the sun sink in,
Let all the warmth of it caress my skin.
When winter comes, my skin will remember
The day I stored September.
And then my eyes--
I filled them with the deepest, bluest skies
And all the traceries of wasps and butterflies.
When winter comes, my eyes will still remember
The day they stored September.
And there was cricket song to fill my ears!
And the taste of grapes
And the deep purple of them!
And asters, like small clumps of sky...
You know how much I love them.
That's what I did today
And I know why.
Just simply for the love of it,
I stored September.

Elizabeth Rooney 9/25/90


Kindly submitted by Lynn in Wi.


Question of the Day

What new or returning TV shows are you looking forward to viewing this season?


Encourage one another,
Donna

I spotted this post hidden away in the far recesses of homeschoolblogger.com last night. It is written by a friend and frequent commenter here at Quiet Life, MFS.

Simple ways to inject fun into your children's learning days

Makes me want to go to school at MFS's house :o)

**********

Today, I will start teaching three high school girls sign language. We will be using the book Signing: How to speak with your hands by Elaine Costello as our main reference book.
I borrowed The American Sign Language Phrase Book by Lou Fant from the library and it looks fantastic!
I can't wait to get started.


Children's choir began last night for Katie at the big Lutheran Church down the road.
They have a very big group of children and many talented teachers. They plan to do two musicals this year along with singing in the church services periodically.
Katie did not know what a musical was and I told her it was like a play.

"I get to be in a play!!!!"

and

Katie begins Awana tonight. Big. Time. Excitement.


The Tigers won their game last night. Finally and hooray :o)


I continue to knit, teach, read, watch, drive and cheer! (Perhaps I should say forgive too :o)

Off to begin my day.

Hey, why don't you list five verbs that describe your life right now?
That sounds like fun :o)

Encourage one another,
Donna


p.s. Do you see the photos on this page...the ones I have taken? I don't see them from here.
Sorry about the big blank spaces...hope the pictures reappear today.

Question of the Day

Your forecast

If you had to describe your disposition in meteorological terms, what would a typical forecast be?

Warm and calm with intermittent gusts of wind.

*****************

I was paging through my little spiral index cards this morning and thought I would share this list from Called to Obedience.

What will happen if you don't forgive?

1. Relationship with God will be hindered
2. Relationship with others will be defiled
3. You will reap trouble
4. You will be turned over to the torture or imprisonment of your own unforgiving spirit.

Forgiveness is high on my list of virtues/disciplines to living a joyful life.

I say virtue because it takes supernatural help to be forgiving and discipline because it takes practice.


When we say we would like to be like Christ we sign up to be forgiving.
It is one of God's most remarkable characteristics.

'Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.'

It's daily.
It's hard.
It's obedient.
It's freeing.
It's Biblical.
It's Christlike.

Forgiving is key in dealing with bitterness and anger.

Do you forgive those who hurt you?

I can be easily offended...so learning to quickly forgive has been a great help.
I know that God will help me since it is something He values so highly.

Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Galations 6:9

Encourage one another,
Donna

Highlights from the Wisconsin Wool and Sheep Festival




My stylish friend, Lynn aka SWWV, enjoying the Whistle and Crook competition.




This was one, very, annoyed sheep!
Ya know those baby toys that when tipped over make mooing and baaing sounds?
Well...just imagine it, amplified!



Lynn's husband told us there were puppies in one of the barns...it took some searching...
and we finally found them.

And where's the yarn? Well...I guess we weren't in a buying mood. We looked through two huge barns with various vendors and left yarn-less, in search of the sheep.

Both Lynn and I really enjoyed the Whistle and Crook competition.
This is where a dog takes four sheep through a course in a huge field and then corrals them in a small pen. The dog's master stands near the pen a whistles orders to the dog.
They have seven minutes to complete the task. Only one succeeded.

The sheep move like fish in a school. And I was reminded of Dy's funny name for people who follow the crowd. Sheepple.

In the crook portion of the competition the dog and his master must separate two sheep from the group. Same dog as above completed this task.

Overheard at the trials; 'away' and 'that'll do'.
Overheard on the way home; 'umm. pop.' and 'umm. Twizzlers'



Tender words sung in the movie Babe

If I Had Words

If I had words to make a day for you,
I'd sing a morning golden & true
I would make this day last for all time
then fill the night deep with moonshine
If I could make a day for you
I'd give you a morning golden & true
I would make this day last for all time..
then fill the night deep with moonshine

We all had such a nice day!
Thanks Lynn and family...it all worked out beautifully, didn't it?
And what would I do without my helpful husband who held down the fort.
xxoo



...Incidentally, I wasn't feeling too badly about not buying any yarn...because...

I knew I had this coming in the mail....
Hello, Yarn.
'Where have you been all my life?'


Encourage one another,
Donna

She runs.
She falls.
She pops back up again.
She gets a ball square in the face.



She rests.

We wait to see if little black eyes appear.
We hope not.




Today is Wisconsin's largest Sheep and Wool Festival!
Lynn in Wi, her family and I will head over to Jefferson for the festivities.
I've never been to something like this before but it is just packed with activities;
spinning, a quilt show, a dog competition (like in Babe), a huge vendor's hall, sheep, sheep and more sheep.

I'll take my camera!
And since my birthday is near...I will have an excuse to purchase yarn...without too much guilt.

'This will be from Katie.'
'This will be from Emma'
'This will be from Patrick.....'


Have a great Saturday.

I'm planning on it :o)

Encourage on another,
Donna

Appetizer
If someone gave you 3 new goldfish today, what would you name them?

Soup
What is the most exciting event you've ever witnessed?

Salad
Who would you switch lives with...for just one day?

Main Course
Who is the easiest person for you to talk to?

Dessert
What's your favorite season? Name 2 things you love about it.





I find so many people easy to talk to. It's one of the joys in life for me.
Yakking it up!

But the people I am very drawn to...
are the ones who love to laugh!




Ballet went well yesterday. It was not quite what I expected but Katie loved it none the less!

And will Katie turn out to be a lettuce eating-prima donna?
Not with my genes in her little bod!
Not a chance!


We are off to Sheboygan today for some Tiger's Soccer!
I hope it is a good game...and that we can easily and safely find our way there.
Go Tigers!

What a great week this has been! Lots of fun new things going on!
It's gonna be a fantastic year!


Encourage one another,
Donna

Angelina is a wonderful audience :o)




The big day has finally arrived.
We have been counting down for a week.

Ballet starts today!

Katie is going to have a ball.
No doubt.





Knitting for orphans.

I think I have found a knitting charity I can get my needles behind.
One must knit with wool because it's warm, warm, warm.


Warm Woolies

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
James 1:27

Question of the Day

For those of you with blogs;

How did you come up with the name of your blog? Does it mean anything, or is it nonsense?

And for everyone else;

Do you believe in love at first sight?

(And if you have a great love at first sight...don't keep it to yourself...share it with the class :o)

Encourage one another,
Donna

Even Emma thinks Katie's work is more fun.

A few times yesterday I caught Emma watching Katie and me; listening, commenting.
After each page of Katie's math book I let her choose a little sticker to put on the page. (I picked out glittery fish and Katie picked out glittery crosses)

Emma: You let her put her own stickers on?
Me: Yes.
Me: Didn't I let you choose your own stickers?
Emma: Probably not.
Me: Well, it's such a little thing, that makes her so happy.

Later that morning, I noticed that Emma had chosen a sticker for her notebook :o)




A short time later, I was working on penmanship with Katie. We turned to the 'Z' page and I asked Katie if she knew what this letter was.

She said, 'Z' is for zebra, but it is also for zipper. (The page had a drawing of a zipper)
I asked her if she would like to draw a zebra. And then, I proceeded to make a big oval and some stick legs and a zebra head. Katie applied the stripes and asks, "Do zebras have tails?"

Emma calls from the other room, "Yes".




When I corrected Emma's math paper, I was greeted by a very cute, very tiny zebra.
I suspect drawing that little zebra and listening to Katie and me, makes Algebra II a little less...trying and dull :o)


Katie and I studied Reading in the living room so we didn't bother Emma with too much noise...but I suspect Emma will be listening and learning right along with us :o)


Encourage one another,
Donna

Oh my...getting a late start on the first day of school...

We're all set and ready to go.

I have an 11th grader and a kindergartener.
Does anyone else have a bigger gap...I'd like to know :o)

I love both ages so I don't have any complaints.

Eleven years ago I started homeschooling.
Emma was my kindergartener, Matthew was in 4th grade and Patrick was in 7th.

We used Calvert and I just loved homeschooling from the start.

The kindergarten Teacher's Manual gave tips on starting out.
My favorite tip was the little prayer/poem they included.

As we come to school today,
Let us not forget to pray
To God, who kept us through the night
And woke us with the morning light

Help us, Lord, to love Thee more
Than we ever loved before;
In all we do, in all we say
To grow more loving every day.

Isn't that a nice way to start the day?

Calvert recommended a hymn, salute to the flag and 'news' time too, but we just said the prayer and played a little game to start the day.

Do any of you sing a song before you start school?
Say the pledge?

I wouldn't mind singing a song! he he he
Got any ideas?

Blessings to all the children who are beginning another year of school...
Wherever they may be going to school!

Encourage one another,
Donna

After few days of the critics...of listening to people wonder why folks stayed in the gulf coast, I was very happy to read an article that was filled with understanding and compassion for the poor in our country.

We Just Don't Get It


Thank you Julie for leading me to The Pastoral Coach



We had a nice time at a family get-together/birthday celebration for my sister-in-law Annie last night. They always make brats and burgers on the grill. And they usually have everything covered.

So I brought blue finger jello!

I can share the recipe if you really want it. he he he

Annie did make a nice pretzel dip that I think you all would like.

1/2 cup Vanilla Yogurt
1 T. Brown Mustard

That's it. So easy and so good! Try it at your Labor Day picnic!

Here is a little information on Labor Day





What is a must-have dish at your family picnic?

Encourage one another,
Donna

Yesterday afternoon we drove sixty miles west of Madison to watch Emma and the Tigers play their first official soccer game of the season.
The field was in a little valley with small hills surrounding.
We watched soccer... and three deer right behind the field munching on some plants.
The weather was perfection.
Katie had children to romp and play with so she was in Katie-heaven.

Only problem was... the Tigers lost...

I'm not so into the winning tho. It was fun anyway :o)


*********

Patrick Sr. is off to a Badgers Football game today with a co-worker.
I've never been to a Badger's football game but boy I'd love to hear the Badgers Marching Band. They're amazing!

I am working at Taste of Madison this evening. I sure hope I can find a parking spot....it's my only concern. Anita (who comments here and is one of the most willing workers I know) says we will mostly be on clean up duty. Fine with me.
(This job will earn money for the homeschool choir tour in the Spring.)


Here is what I have been knitting lately.







I just love to knit!


If you had to evacuate your home and state...where would you go? Who would you move in with?

Encourage one another,
Donna

Good morning all...

I am sitting here staring at my screen this morning. I am sickened by the news coming out of New Orleans and Houston. I am wishing Rudy Giuliani would help them organize. I am praying my weak little prayers for all of the suffering souls.

'Help those people Lord. Please help them.'

It's all so horrific.
The suffering is great.

It just doesn't seem right to do a Friday feast today.

Hope. I am trying to have hope.

If it were not for hopes, the heart would break.
-Thomas Fuller

The miserable have no other medicine
But only hope.
~William Shakespeare, Measure for Measure

Hope is the word which God has written on the brow of every man.
~Victor Hugo

With so many willing to help and give, there is hope.

God is close to the broken hearted.
Psalm 34:19

Encourage one another,
Donna


****Update****
It's Laney's Birthday! She could use a little birthday cheer.
Go on over and wish her a happy birthday!

Wish Laney a Happy Birthday

The breezes taste
Of apple peel.
The air is full
Of smells to feel-
Ripe fruit, old footballs,
Burning brush,
New books, erasers,
Chalk, and such.
The bee, his hive,
Well-honeyed hum,
And Mother cuts
Chrysanthemums.
Like plates washed clean
With suds, the days
Are polished with
A morning haze.

- September, John Updike

I just googled 'September poem' this morning and the first poem I came across was
Mr. Updikes, September.
I think I will call that a 'Google gift'.

I wish you a day full of little surprises and gifts!

By all these lovely tokens
September days are here,
With summer’s best of weather
And autumn’s best of cheer.

- Helen Hunt Jackson, 1830-1885

Encourage one another,
Donna