Stumped!

I've been busily working today. I have washed and hung  3 loads of clothes on the line. Taken 2 of the 3 loads off and they are folded and neatly put away. There's a pot of spaghetti sauce simmering away on the stove. The sad thing is, we were suppose to have Tacos tonight and spaghetti tomorrow. For some reason, I got my Tuesday and Wednesday mixed up. Oh well!



For the past week, I've been going through all of our school books, sold what I did not need, found two more books that need to be sold, found the order receipt from where I bought school books last year and dropped my jaw when I saw how much the difference is in what I spent last year and what I will be spending this year. OH.MY.GOODNESS!!! I'm seriously thinking about waiting until the middle of the summer to buy the books, to see if they run a sale. Maybe they will, right?

I'm thinking it may be a good thing, that I wait to order our books, since I'm STUMPED on what to do for our Grammar and possibly our Bible and History.

I'm looking at LLATL, Winston Grammar and CQLA for our grammar. The last one is a little pricey, so it's probably going to be tossed to the side.  LLATL is one I want to try, since the HOME ED EXPERT generated it, even after I felt like it would be a good fit after reading Cathy Duffy's book. For some reason, I keep WG in the back of my mind. LLATL and WG, I think would work together being used every other year. So, I'm leaning towards starting LLATL this year and give my sweet boy a break from the dreaded grammar causing headache he acquired every day the past several years.

I found a Bible curriculum that looks promising. You can choose your option on the version of the Bible and they are quite inexpensive. I've been happy with Positive Action for Christ, I just need to try and find something a little less expensive. The only thing with the new curriculum, the website doesn't tell anything about who put the curriculum together, who the ministry is under, etc., etc. Since I'm waiting on an email from them regarding this, I'll not mention who they are, in case it is a bust.


Our History... what can I say about it ~ In the fall, we started with The Mystery of History and it was good. I like it a lot, but I never loved it. Jamie liked it alright too, BUT he did not love it. He told me today that he really liked the parts about Egypt, Rome and something else. He mentioned that there was a lot that was just down right boring. I have to agree.  So we are looking at  History Revealed. This is another of those pricey programs, but it may work for us. After looking at Diana Waring's website, you really don't have to have all the items that are being sold in the kit.

It's almost 5:00 and when you've read this post, you are going to think, that I've done nothing, when, I said that I had been busy today. Well, I have, I started this post this morning right before noon. Now I'm finally finished with it. YAY!  I'm going to finish getting supper ready and do a little more research on how I'm going to be unstumped.

What Was I Thinking!

I am horrible! Maybe not, I just feel horrible. Physically, I feel fit as a fiddle. It's something that I did not do today. For several weeks, I knew that my husband would be shooting a junior (youth) rodeo. I really hate going to those, or I did until today. You see, in the past we (Jamie and I) usually sat in the stands watching all the children from ages 4 and up do their thing for each of the events that they were entered in.  Some of it we really enjoy, but then there are times, it's like watching paint dry.

Anyway, during the last couple of weeks, my husband had talked to Jamie about competing in the Chute Dogging aka Steer Wrestling. (This is nothing too dangerous for either the young person or the steer. It's actually quite safe at this stage since the horse is not involved.) Every time the subject was brought up, Jamie said that he was going to enter it. It wasn't until about 2 weeks ago, he had never really been up near a young steer. That weekend, he jumped right into the corrals with many of the young beasts, and helped move them on into other pens. He was excited about this and loved helping.

Last night, as my husband was getting his camera and equipment ready for today, he asked Jamie again about competing. Well, there was some hesitation in his answer and I knew then, that he probably would not do it. So, I decided to stay home today, since he was probably not going to enter.

Would you believe I got a phone call today from Jamie telling me how he entered and won first place! I was shocked beyond all measure. I could not believe that he actually went through with it. He was so excited that he won and won prize money. There were only 2 boys entered in the Chute Dogging today, so the purse was not too big, but it was big enough to spark an interest.  Here are a couple of pictures that my husband took ~

The little guy in the background has grown up around this type of sport and was the other contestants in the event. Jamie beat him by 9/10 of a second to win first place.

I can't believe I missed this! I'll be there, next month.

I was informed today by my son, "Mom, forget about all of those other sports. I want to do this and I want to make it to the top."

Jamie, is all excited about this new adventure. Once he joins the association and stays with it, he'll be able to work towards college scholarship money.~ YAY!

 This Momma has now been tagged as "Rodeo Mom."

Finally!

After a battle with the wireless router for a couple of weeks. We are set! YAY!!! No more wires laying across the table, floor, etc. I'm happy to be able to sit on the sofa or lay in the bed at night and surf the web.



I wanted to share a picture of a few things that I've picked up at yard sales and thrift stores. Over the past couple of weeks.  I have two favorites shown ~ The metal oil lamp and the wooden stool. I've put the lamp on the mantle and the stool is on the hearth of the fireplace. I have some old books I have sitting on it. I'm looking for an old piece of leather, to wrap around the books ~ one day.

I have lots of laundry waiting for me. I'll see you all soon.

Don't Know What to Call It!

The title sums up the post! :)




I hope all you Mothers had a wonderful Mother's Day. I did. My husband and son surprised me with  breakfast, flowers and 2 sets of Fiesta dishes. These were two of the colors that I had chosen sometime ago. The really neat thing about these, my husband found them at the mall while they were on SALE! A BOGO sell ~ how neat is that!

Well, I've been super busy going through everything again while unpacking. I now have two  HUGE piles of things that are either on Ebay or are going to the flea market to sell on Saturday.

I hope you all are enjoying this wonderful weather. I am and I'm enjoying hearing the many sounds of the country while out hanging my laundry on the line. I heard a turkey gobbling today along with a whippoorwill last night, and several doves cooing and other little critters scratching in the leaves in the woods.  Talking about a clothes line. My husband had put a temporary line up for me and today my Dad brought my posts and wire. So I was able to hang 3 loads out this afternoon. Hopefully, I can get one more out.

Here's a not so very good picture. I was not feeling too well on Sunday and you can tell in my face.

Happy Mother's Day

The other day while going through some boxes of things, I found all of my college papers that I had written. Of all the papers that I wrote, I have one favorite. I can't really remember what the actual assignment was about other than I had to write about an organization, whether it be real or fictional. I chose one that is both Real and Fictional.



Since today is Mother's Day, I thought I would share with you some of my paper.

From  "The Working Mothers Organization" by Lori T. ~ 

"A mother's job is never finished. She is on call to work for her family twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. Some mothers work at home, while others work outside the home during the day and work at home in the evening.

It is not an easy job being a mother. But when the added pressures of a job and school are placed on a mother, there are things that have to be placed on hold. My family comes first, then my job, and finally, my schooling. Being a teacher, and working from September to May, a lot of things are placed on hold, so my family does not suffer. Nine times out of ten my schooling is the one thing that has to be put on hold. But during the summer months I can focus more on my schooling. I am able to spend more hours during the day and evening and into the late night studying.

Mothers are in a special category all by themselves. They work everyday for their families and homes. Their jobs never end. Even when the children are grown and gone, mothers still find a way to care for their children."

To all the Mothers out there ~ Happy Mother's Day!

The Girl in the Gatehouse a Book Review

With a scandal in her past, Mariah has been hidden away at a distant relative's estate. Here she supports herself by secretly writing novels.

this post contains affiliate links 

Miss Mariah Aubrey, banished after a scandal, hides herself away in a long-abandoned gatehouse on the far edge of a distant relative's estate. There, she supports herself and her loyal servant the only way she knows how--by writing novels in secret.

Captain Matthew Bryant, returning to England successful and wealthy after the Napoleonic wars, leases an impressive estate from a cash-poor nobleman, determined to show the society beauty who once rejected him what a colossal mistake she made. When he discovers an old gatehouse on the property, he is immediately intrigued by its striking young inhabitant and sets out to uncover her identity, and her past. But the more he learns about her, the more he realizes he must distance himself. Falling in love with an outcast would ruin his well-laid plans.

The old gatehouse holds secrets of its own. Can Mariah and Captain Bryant uncover them before the cunning heir to the estate buries them forever?

My Thoughts:

Julie Klassen is a new to me author. All I can say is, "WOW!" The author has a way of writing that kept me so intrigued in the book. I literally could not put it down. The story is written in a somewhat Jane Austen way. If you love reading Jane Austen, then you will enjoy this book.  I love being able to feel all the emotions that the characters feel and I did when reading the book.

I'll definitely be on the lookout for more of Julie's books.

I received this book for free for my honest opinion from Bethany House.

You can buy your own copy at Christian Book Distributor.

The Girl in the Gatehouse By Julie Klassen / Bethany House Miss Mariah Aubrey, banished after a scandal, hides herself away in a long-abandoned gatehouse on the far edge of a distant relative's estate. There, she supports herself and her loyal servant the only way she knows how-by writing novels in secret. Captain Matthew Bryant, returning to England successful and wealthy after the Napoleonic wars, leases an impressive estate from a cash-poor nobleman, determined to show the society beauty who once rejected him what a colossal mistake she made. When he discovers an old gatehouse on the property, he is immediately intrigued by its striking young inhabitant and sets out to uncover her identity, and her past. But the more he learns about her, the more he realizes he must distance himself. Falling in love with an outcast would ruin his well-laid plans. The old gatehouse holds secrets of its own. Can Mariah and Captain Bryant uncover them before the cunning heir to the estate buries them forever?

DayBook

Outside my window... it's a perfect spring day! The sun is shining, the clouds are moving ever so slowly through the sky. There's a load of laundry hanging on the line. YAY! It's my first since we've moved in.



I am thinking... about all the stuff that needs to find a home in our house. YIKES!
I am thankful for... for a husband who will go to work even when he is sick.
From the learning rooms... we are finishing up for summer break. We started our last lesson in Bible, "The Character of Paul". We are finished with everything else except for History. We still have a about a week, unless we double up some more.
From the kitchen...who knows at the moment. I do have some ground meat in the the refrigerator, so something with that tonight. I'll have to make my menu for the rest of the week, tonight.
I am creating... a home at the moment. I still have many boxes to unpack.
I am reading... Mine is the Night by Liz Curtis Higgs at the moment.
I am praying... for my husband with wisdom that he needs regarding a decision.
Around the house... there is so much to do, where do I begin? Monkey's room is together somewhat. I still have a couple of little things for our room that needs doing. The bathroom is finished ~ except for the ugly wallpaper. The living/dining room is still in a mess. Hopefully, I can take care of the majority of that today.
A few plans for the rest of the week... UNPACKING, unpacking, unpacking!

Promised Pictures

Here are the promised pictures of our new place. The house is a little 1960's brick ranch style. The only thing that I really dislike about the outside are the two awnings. Can't figure out why they were put on the windows. The sun does not shine "into" the front of the house.

~The house~

~The house from the road ~

~The left side of the drive way.~

~The right side of the drive~

~Here's my tiny kitchen.  I just love it! ~

~The Living Room - My Favorite!~

~The Dining/Eat in - whatever you want to call it.~

Do you see the wall between the area and the front door on the left?

I thought it was a little odd until I decided,
I did not want nosy visitors seeing

my dinner table while we're eating, if they drop in. :)

 Here is the Master Bedroom, with some horrible wallpaper. 

Please don't tell me that you have this hanging in your house. 

If you do, I'm sorry. It just doesn't work with this little house.

This bathroom also has horrible wallpaper. I'm beginning to

wonder if the person could see what they were choosing.

I'm going to paint the walls throughout an antique white.

This is the spare bedroom. The wallpaper really isn't too bad, in this

room. But hey, it's being used as storage at the moment.
See that cute little antique table? My husband picked that up at an estate sale for $3.00. 

Just as soon as we are settled in more, he is going to refinish it for me.

That little chair that looks broken, is almost finished,

there is a before and after shot of it at the bottom.

This is my son's room. He has chosen a red and black theme.
Go Dawgs!
I put up red and black curtains.
I even found him a UGA saucer chair on Craigslist.
My husband is going to build him a platform bed with a custom headboard.

Needless to say, he is very excited!

Here is a before and after photo of the little chair from above.

I bought this chair at an antique store for $5.00.
The seat did not turn out the way I had thought and wanted. But it is perfect to sit beside the fireplace, with a doll.