Do not name your homeschool something silly...



My homeschool graduate went in for an interview with a local bank.
We got a call later in the day saying that she was their top choice.

But.

Did she have a diploma?

We got a little giggle out of this and then
copied off Emma's diploma (issued my myself)
copied her transcript and gathered a whole bunch of references.

As I looked at the diploma I was glad we didn't name our homeschool...

Winnie ther Pooh Academy

or

Colin Firth School for Girls

We never thought anyone would want to LOOK at her diploma.

But just a month after graduation.
We have been asked.

Think ahead, mommy-educators!

Your school name is not as immaterial as you may think :o)

Ours is called

Lamb of God Christian School.

Not silly, thank goodness.


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





Isn't it fun with the school supplies start arriving at your door?
I know you are curious.
That's Calvert 2nd grade math.

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


Listen in as Cyndi and Deacon Tim discuss how they raise their families in this crazy world. Deacon Tim is not afraid to do things differently, for the sake of Christ and for the sake of his family.

(This is not just for homeschoolers (talk about counterculture).
While Cyndi homeschools, D-Tim does/did not.)

The Counterculture Family at Two Edge Talk

Go listen.


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

Baseball season is nearing an end.







Odd, but interesting look to this pic.




How adorable!!!

Man is fond of counting his troubles, but he does not count his joys. If he counted them up as he ought to, he would see that every lot has enough happiness provided for it.
~Fyodor Dostoevsky


One filled with joy preaches without preaching.
~Mother Teresa

Go forth and be joyous :o)


Encourage one another,
Donna

Sisters





Someday,
Katie will be 16 and Emma will be 26.
They will have things to talk about and places to go.

And then they will be 31 and 41 and their ages will not matter one bit.

For now, it's a cool ride thru the pool or a quick game of clue.
It doesn't seem like much, but as long as kindness is there, a good relationship is growing.

One of the most special relationships of all.

That of siblings.

It's hard to be responsible, adult and sensible all the time. How good it is to have a sister whose heart is as young as your own.
~Pam Brown

Encourage one another,
Donna

This picture is making me sad.

So long colorful little cups.

So long.

I think I will go and pull two of them out of the trash.

I have room to save two of those little cups.

Bye.

The Wizard of Oz

The play was delightful.
Katie was a very good thespian.
She did not goof up or shove anyone.

I am so proud of her.


Bravo! Bravo!



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


Emma was at work and Katie was a acting camp, so I took a stroll around the garage yesterday afternoon.
I was looking for something interesting or beautiful.

To tell you the truth, I didn't even know we had these.









I have a favorite.
Do you?

(If you click on the photo, it gets larger.)






Tweet!


I'm going to spend the weekend enjoying my Katie again.
I didn't like having her gone, all day, every day.
After a long day, she didn't have anything more to give.
All pooped out.
Too pooped out to even give a report of her day.
It was odd. I felt like an outsider.

But she loves her acting camp.
And will do it again next year.

It was part of the deal,

'Behave and you may do this next year.'

And she did.


Encourage one another,
Donna

Friday Feast


Appetizer
Describe a toy you remember from your childhood.

Soup
On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being highest) how observant are you?

Salad
Where would you rather be at this very moment?

Main Course
When was the last time you learned something new?

Dessert
Fill in the blank: I have ____________ but I haven’t ____________.





Here is a toy I remember from my childhood.

It's Midge.

Barbie's friend.

I think it's kinda cool, cause I have always been 'the friend'.

As a high school Senior, I won Most Friendly and Most Courteous.

I hated winning those.

I wanted to be Most Popular and Prettiest.

Cause I was really shallow.

Mrs. Williams, our lovely next door neighbor, thought I had been chosen for the best kind of awards. And told me so. But I still thought they were dumb.

I love Mrs. Williams.
She also told me once, when I griped about moving to the boonies in northern Wisconsin, to 'bloom where I was planted.'

Wise woman.

Anyway, back to Midge.

I must not have had her very long, because I don't remember playing with her a whole lot, but I clearly remember sitting next to Aunt Barb while she worked on re-curling Midge's hair.

She was using a pencil and was taking great care to make Midge look pretty.

I was a little pixie wearing tomboy and it probably never dawned on my to take the time to fix poor Midge's hair.

Midge wouldn't have won most popular and prettiest either.

But I'll bet she would have won Most Friendly.

And look at her.

She looks just like I did as a little girl.

Except for the curls.

I don't know how she survived our crazy, doll-haircutting skillz.

But then, I don't know what happened to Midge.

Sue or Cindy probably cut her hair off...and then Janice or Janet probably banged her on the high chair until her head popped off and rolled away.

Naw. That would have been memorable. I would remember that.

Midge was probably left outside in the dirt, or in a wagon full of caterpillars or buried in the bottom of a toy box.

Poor Midge.

But not really.

Cause beauty fades, even if you use every single beauty product discussed yesterday, twice, and well...

friends are forever :o)


Encourage one another,
Donna

Tuesday evening we (Katie, Emma and I) were invited (someone gave me a little paper pass at church) to the preview shopping event at the new, big, shiny, happy Super Target down the road from us.

Along with a band playing Cajun-type tunes, cake and ice cream, cotton candy, punch and a ice sculpture of the Target doggie, came a nice heavy bag full of samples from the pharmacy.

I eagerly looked thru the bag of goodies and found this





Gross name. Don't you think?

But it reminded me to tell you about Lynn's Beauty Tips.
The butt paste didn't really remind me, it was the large bag of products.

Lynn has two favorite beauty products.

She loves this;




Burt's Bees Foot cream
and pumice stone.

She uses it regularly and her tootsies and her heels are quite smooth (not that I've felt them) looking and callus free.

And she sings the praises of this;





Inexpensive,
classic,
does the trick.

Our dad used VO5 on his wonderful black curls!

VO5 is a hair care product,
in case you didn't know.
Similar to Brylcream.


My beauty tips.

Well.

Um.

I like mascara.
I need mascara.

I use Lancombe mascara because my eyelashes are little and short and sparse.

Lancombe mascara is magical and produces the appearance of eyelashes.

It costs a lot.

But it's practically the only thing I use.

I love to buy lipstick.
But rarely wear it.



How about you?
Here's your chance to share you best beauty tip(s).

We wait with baited breath.

(Is that how the saying goes???)




It was glowing outside last night.
Patrick (while watering the grass) told me to come out and see.

So pretty.

The orange was all around.
It was even on the grass and in the air.

(I was watching 'So you think you can dance!'
And while we are on that topic.
Who will be voted off tonight?
I say Dominic.)


Have a great Thursday!


Encourage one another,
Donna

The long awaited, India post.
By Emma Boucher



Welcome to India!

The 30 hour journey was over.
The team was welcomed with flowers and big, bright banners.
We got settled in our room and went shopping with Esther (Pastor Daniel's wife) for Sarees.



At night we met the Wall Lizards!
The poisonous, wall lizards.
They were cute little guys!



We went right to work, Pastor Daniel had at least one meeting planned for every day. Most of the pictures above are in the Main Church, right next to Pastor Daniel and Esther's house. They waited until our whole team was there so they could have their communion Sunday, it was very special. I had the opportunity to help lead worship and preach to about 300 people! I never thought I would be doing that at this time of my life! But God had His plans for this trip...




The woman and I in the top right hand corner had just met! We had the amazing opportunity to go to a wedding(where we were honored guests), although we did not know the couple. Afterwards, this woman came up to me and just could not stop touching me and hugging me! Finally she was content to have her picture taken with me and let go :)

Rasheed, in the bottom left, was a neighbor boy we saw everyday. Sooooo cute! And Levi, Pastor Daniel's 10 year old son, is on the bottom right, singing a song at a street meeting.

I will never forget the people of India, they blessed our team so much! They ALWAYS had smiles for us, and usually food or anything else they could give us. Being an honored guest where ever we went...Oh! and many times they would bring a professional photographer to the house if we came to visit! It was truly the most humbling experience of my life!




We were able to visit a Tribal Village because Pastor Daniel said he wanted us to experience "Real India." It was so amazing!!! And beautiful! And tiny and dirty...to be honest. But the people were still as generous, honoring and grateful that we were there as any one else. They had bought that tribal dress I'm wearing NEW for us to try on! (oh yes and the goat, well...that was Pastor Daniel's idea! The whole family really did have great senses of humor).




Worship at the church, with their new banners and streamers.



We had a morning/afternoon off so we headed to the Bay of Bengal two hours away. It was very busy with fishermen and boys were swimming everywhere. They loved Curtis and Jordan...and ignored us :)



Goats goats everywhere...and cows, dogs, lizards, cockroaches, spiders, etc
The other 3 pictures are taken from the car window, that huge statue is in between Hyderabad and Vijayawada.



A couple more pictures of worship and the youth eating a meal on the right (Look at the huge plates!!)


We called this little naked fella, the naughty boy.
He was always into mischief and was always naked.
One day he was dressed with shoes and a backpack, waiting to leave for school.
But he neglected to put on any other clothes.







Saying goodbye...about 30 people came to see us off...




What a trip! I absolutely loved it and God used me in ways I never thought He would OR could! I was completely stretched on this trip, we really did have to be prepared and willing to do anything they asked us! But I don't regret a single experience (even all the food)! I was blessed by these people's great faith so much, I only hope God used me to be a blessing to them as well! If you have any questions go ahead and post them in the comments!


God Bless You,
Emma

He loves me.


Patrick ran to the store early Sunday morning.
Just to pick up the whipped cream cheese.
For me.

I didn't ask.
He just knew.

Now.
That's love.


**********


Here in this part of Wisconsin, we haven't had rain since June.

We water.
Our neighbors.
Don't.


**********




The End.

(Emma finished the book while I was sleeping.
I can't wait to hear if she liked it!)


Are you reading something you just can't put down?

What would your hubby bring you that would spell l.o.v.e.?

Sue and Cindy, tell us about your vacations! Please!?


Encourage one another,
Donna

Greek Fest!

Opa!



We spent a nice afternoon at the Greek Fest yesterday.
Good, loud Greek music.
Nice and tasty Greek food.

Fun times.

The interior of the church was painted by an enthusiastic Icon painter.
It was beautifully crafted and I thought loud and gorgeous.

Jesus' face was at the very top of the dome.
Looking down on us all from heaven.

The pews were lined with what I will call...
a great cloud of witnesses.

Saints.

There were women among the icons.
This was refreshing for me to see.
You know I am not a big time feminist.
But i really liked seeing Esther and Ruth and Anna(?) standing with the other great people of God.
Cause they were.
And so often they are not mentioned.
At all.


The Greek salad was especially good.
I try to make it taste like that.
And I don't know what I am doing wrong.
But it was so fresh and delicious.

When I was little I thought the Greek food was so strong tasting.

I didn't like the feta or the olives or the lamb.

But now I find the feta mild and the olives perfect.

Our taste buds really do change don't they?

I wonder if I would like the pickled herring my mother and her family ate as a snack.

No.

I really don't think so.


*********

Katie starts her acting 'camp' today!

This is her annual foray into theater.

I'm sure you remember her naughty escapades on the stage two years in a row.

We have talked about it.
And I'm sure will continue to talk about stage etiquette.

Please Lord, let her not be bossy and frustrated.

This year camp is all day!
Big deal for a little home schooled girl to go away all day.
She will be just fine.
I'm sure.

Oh!
Guess what the play is this year???

The Wizard of Oz!

My favorite.
And Katie's too!

I better go and wake sleeping beauty!


**********

Are you all enjoying the Harry Potter book?

Emma is reading it.
I am not.
I haven't read a one.
(Don't tell anyone, I don't like fantasy fiction)

Happy Monday!

Encourage one another,
Donna

Yes, LB, I did figure out how to do a mosaic AND just this morning I figured out how to do a 'storyboard.'

Here's my storyboard.
Now just remember, this is my first try.


We went to the fair yesterday.
Emma had a taste for a baked potato and for the fried treat you see above.

Guess what it is?

*********

So I googled and googled and found this place;

Big Huge Labs

A little bit later in the day I must say that Tammy and Lisa, both sent me emails suggesting the same site.
So, thank you both for helping!!


Here are two other thing I put together with the help of Flickr and Bighugelabs.
(I had to sign up at both places, but neither charged me anything.)



This is very easy. All you have to do is pick one picture and click the Andy Warhol button and there you have it.
Being a bit of a photo-control freak, I would have liked to pick the colors and to place them myself.
But perhaps that is possible and I haven't figured it out yet :o)


Not the best.
But this is the idea.


So there you go. It only took four years of blogging to figure this out.

I may be the slowest learner in blogville.
Oh Yeah.

But!

Hooray for new tricks :o)

***********


I think I (we) will be going to the Greek Fest tomorrow afternoon.
We should be there around 2:00. (Sunday at 2:00pm)
If you are in town, want to get together for a little Greek food and bloggy fellowship, come on over to the Greek Fest!

Greek Fest Information

I tell ya, this is a brilliant way to put on a party...
Set the place and let the Greek fest folks do all the work :o)

Woot!

********

Okay now,

What is the fried food in the picture above?

And while we're at it.
What is the strangest fried food you have ever eaten?


Encourage one another,
Donna

Friday Feast


Appetizer
On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being highest) how much do enjoy watching sports on television?

Soup
If you could completely memorize any one work of fiction, which one would you pick?

Salad
What is your favorite breakfast food?

Main Course
Name something fun you can do for less than $10.00.

Dessert
How long does it usually take you to fall asleep?


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


Happy Birthday, Sis Cindy!!!





You would love Cindy!
She is full of fun!

Have a happy day, Cindy dear!
Cindy is on a holiday.
I know she is enjoying herself.





Cindy, cousin Diana, Donna and Sue.

Sitting on a bar in our Rec room.

I'm thinking of Sue this morning too.
She is in New York watching John Mayer preform live, right now.
He is singing, right behind me, right now. (On Good Morning America)

I am watching for Sue.
I told her to wear a funny hat, like a cheese head so I could spot her.
I don't think she did. :o)

John is waiting on the world to change.


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


I have a photography question.
If anyone knows, please tell me.

Have you seen those cool collages on made on Flickr sites?

The ones where there are, for instance, nine pictures, all stuck together,
three
three
three

They look really cool.
So I signed up for a Flickr account so I, too, could make one of these neat thingys.

And well.

I can't seem to find out how to do it.
Can't even find a spot where they tell you how to do it.

And then there are things called 'storyboards'.
These are three photos in a row (or more).

They are really cool groupings.

I googled 'storyboards' and 'how to make a storyboard'.
To no avail.

If you know how to do either of these actions, please tell me where to go or what to buy.

Thanks :o)

**********

Happy Friday friends!
See you in the comments.


Encourage one another,
Donna

For Janice








Heirloom tomato on heirloom plate.


I have had two lovely tomatoes already this summer.
Blessed.

We all have much to give, to share, to contribute wherever we find ourselves to be living.
Holiness starts in the home, by loving God and those around us for his sake.

Mother Teresa

AP photo


flickr photos

Yesterday in midtown Manhattan

NEW YORK - An underground steam pipe explosion tore through a Manhattan street near Grand Central Terminal on Wednesday during the evening rush hour, sending residents running for cover amid a towering geyser of steam.


New York Police Department spokesman Paul Browne said it was not terrorism related. A fire department spokeswoman said some people were taken to area hospitals, but no details were available. Subway service in the area was suspended because of the explosion.

A plume of steam, sometimes white and sometimes muddy brown, shot into the air from a gaping hole in the street near the train station and was as high as the nearby Chrysler Building. The air near the site was filled with debris.

This story came across my Yahoo home page.
I immediately went to see the pictures and read what had happened.
It reminded me so much of 9/11.
But it was 'just' a steam pipe breaking.

Wow.
What a steam pipe!

It must be very unnerving to live in New York.

I have felt the effects of 9/11 even living in Wisconsin.

When an airplane flies low, I wonder.
When my television shows are broken into with a 'special bulletin',
my heart beats faster.

It's a brief thing. It comes on quickly.
Fades quickly too.


Other fears come and stay longer.


There is not a whole lot to do but to be prayerful and careful.



A college student was murdered right here in Madison.
She was 22.
Right down town.
Where we go all the time.
Emma goes down there with her friends.

The killer has not be caught.

I am so angry and confused by what is going on in our country.
Everyday I hear of another young woman who is missing.
Another pregnant young mother who is missing.

Young women being killed my men.

It's horrible.

We share our beautiful planet with wicked, wicked folks.



How should we then live?




Here is what I come up with.

The great 23rd Psalm

Psalm 23
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

and a new favorite scripture.

He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?
Micah 6:8

I am not feeling fearful this morning.
I just wanted to share the sadness on my heart the last few weeks as we watched the news about Kelly Nolan's disappearance and murder, so close to home.

My heart breaks for her loved ones.



Tell me. Dear Wise Friends.

How then shall we live?


Encourage one another,
Donna

Welcome to America!




Jordan and Emma at O'Hare.





Sisters.








Have you ever seen a mummy at a museum?
Emma's skin reminds me of that mummy skin.

Decorating your skin with henna is an act of honor and respect.
The woman called Emma aside to decorate her hands and feet.

If you would like to learn more about henna read this for starters


Emma will write a nice post for you....soon.


We had such a nice long visit on the way home from the airport.

Emma and Jordan both said they loved the people the most.

Everywhere they went people called out to them,

"Welcome to India, Welcome to India!"

Their white skin called out like a beacon,
and the double takes were frequent!




I asked Emma if the people wanted to touch her skin.
She said not really
but they loved to have their pictures taken and dashed over to see the
image in the viewfinder.

If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay home.
~James Michener

"Bizarre travel plans are dancing lessons from God."
(Kurt Vonnegut)

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do... Explore. Dream. Discover."
(Mark Twain)

Serve...love...care.


Encourage one another,
Donna

I'm going to get our girl.

I love this picture of Emma.
It was the background on the computer for a month or so...
until Emma took it down.
It was a little embarrassing to her.

She is going to have to excuse me....again.

I'm going to O'Hare to pick Emma and Jordan up today...

I can't wait.





Happy
7 year old
friends

beautiful



Do you remember being seven?

I think I was younger than seven, but I remember sitting on the potty with my best friend Cathy.
We would go at the same time.
She was my only girlfriend.
I adored her.

I remember that she could not color in the lines yet.
She must have been four and I must have been five.
She is a Dr. now :o)

My only other friend was Billy.
We did not sit on the potty together.
But we collected bugs, roasted marshmallows and played kick the can together.

I adored him as well.

(Billy is KrisS' younger brother)


Summer's were lazy and easy back in the 60's.




This was the most exciting thing to happen all day!

We knew he was coming by the tinkle of his bells.

"The ice cream man is coming!!! The ice cream man is coming!!

"Mommmmmm!!! The ice cream man is coming!!!"


What were you doing in the summer when you were seven?


Encourage one another,
Donna