Wonderful week

I have been having a wonderful week! I guess it's the weather. It has been perfect-o. Yesterday it got up 92 degrees. I think we're going to have a warm summer. Last summer was very mild. We only had a few 100 degree days. It stayed in the lower 90's most of the time. It did not feel like Texas. The average high for this month (so far) is 76 degrees. The average overall temperature is 65. Sorry to bore you with weather data, but I always find it so fascinating!

The wildflowers this year have been dazzling. For the past month, my eyes have been feasting on fields overflowing with Bluebonnets, Indian Paintbrushes, Black-eyed Susans and Primroses. Sadly, they started dying. I am anticipating their return next spring! Click here for a website that can help you identify wildflowers.

Last night I finished Little Dorrit. I am rather ashamed to admit how long it has taken me to read that book. I started it on January 24. I had to return it to the library on February 28. On the 12 of April I checked it out again. That's over 7 weeks! I can only comfort myself by remembering that I read several other books simultaneously (I am always in the middle of at least 4 books!)

Still thinking of someone(s) to tag...

I guess I should have said that I would tag someone by tomorrow, not before tomorrow. (I said that yesterday, so that would make today tomorrow.) Anyway, I'll go ahead and tag Michelle. If I don't find 2 more people by the end of the day, then I'll tag my siblings. I may tag them anyway if Michelle doesn't.


Update: It is the end of the day. I have tagged my two siblings, Amanda and Josh.

Tag, You Are It.

I got tagged! This is an blog game that I found out about from Deb (part of The Girotti Family) at Mountain Musings.

Here are the rules of the online tag game. Out of all the occupations listed below, I will pick 5 and write whatever comes into my mind about them. Well, maybe not whatever comes into my mind, but you get the idea. Then I will tag 3 other people and they will have to do the same thing on their blog. Also I will add 1 occupation to the list. I added "If I could be a teacher..."

The "questions:" If I could be a scientist...If I could be a farmer...If I could be a musician... If I could be a doctor... If I could be a painter... If I could be a gardener... If I could be a missionary... If I could be a chef... If I could be an architect... If I could be a linguist... If I could be a psychologist... If I could be a librarian... If I could be an athlete... If I could be a lawyer... If I could be an inn-keeper... If I could be an athlete... If I could be a professor... If I could be a writer... If I could be a llama-rider...If I could be a mail carrier... If I could be a bonnie pirate... If I could be an astronaut... If I could be a world famous blogger... If I could be a justice on any one court in the world... If I could be a circus ringmaster… If I could be a teacher...

If I could be a musician... I would play the piano. Everyone would ask me to play at their weddings, graduations and other special events. I would never have a moments peace. As soon as I entered a room with a piano in it, people would ask me to play. I would get drafted into playing the piano for worship at small Bible studies (like my brother does when he brings his guitar to a gathering.) I know that these things would likely happen to me, because this is what happens to my friends who play the piano! In reality, I have always wished I could play the piano. (I guess I haven't wished hard enough to practice, though!) I can play it just a little tiny bit.

If I could be an athlete...I would play tennis. I would set a new style for female tennis attire. I would have someone design an outfit that is easy to move in and modest! I would jog every morning to keep myself in top condition and I would regularly stretch out.

If I could be a doctor... For some reason, that I have not yet discovered, my dad has always thought I would make a good doctor. I don't think I have the stomach for it. If I had to be a doctor, I would want to work in a third world country as part of a ministry to the children that live there. I can't imagine the types of things a doctor would have to undergo in those circumstances, but I know that there is a desperate need for that type of service.

If I could be a gardener... Wait, I already am one! Kind of. I have grown a vegetable garden, if that counts for anything. If I could be a better gardener, I would plant every type of vegetable you can imagine. I would spend dozens of hours (or should I say weeks?) canning, freezing and cooking my produce. I would also grow strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and grapes. Herbs, of course, would be a vital component of my growing endeavors. Pecan, apple, pear, orange, plum and peach trees would frame my yard and garden areas. Did I mention that I would also grow roses and tulips? I hope I did not forget anything. Of course in my garden, everything would grow by itself. It would only need work when I felt like getting some outdoor exercise. Weeds would be non-existent and it would rain often enough that watering the plants would not be an issue. When I find out how to grow plants in that manner, I will grow everything I mentioned here.

If I could be a farmer... I think this goes along with being a gardener. I would love to own at least 100 acres of land in a rural area. I have not yet decided where that rural area would be. I think the Texas hill country would be my first pick. I would have chickens, goats, cows, rabbits, dogs, cats, and maybe horses. I would possibly even raise bees! A large pond, stocked full of fish, would be on the land. I would also want a creek on the property. I can just see myself now - swinging lazily in the hammock, sipping lemonade, enjoying the country breeze. Reality check - I'm sweaty, the barn floor is muddy from rain, the chickens are all dying of some unknown disease and the cows keep getting out of the fence (which needs repairs.)

The occupations I picked (except the doctor!) all include skills that I would like to develop in real life. Of course, I don't expect to grow a garden that never needs weeding or own animals that don't require a lot of work. I know that hard work is necessary to accomplish anything worthwhile. I don't know how far I will get with these long term goals; I tend to be somewhat idealistic. Oh, well.

Now the fun starts. I get to pick three people to "tag." The three people I pick will have to do the same thing on their blogs. I still have to pick 3 people. If you'd like to volunteer, that would be helpful. If not, then I will pick three people before tomorrow. Also, if you don't have a blog, but want to write about an occupation, then you can do so in my comments box. Everyone better start running before you get tagged because I have started the chase!

When I had long hair...

Since I have been posting about hair, I decided to post a picture of me from when my hair was its longest. This is one of the few pictures I have where you can actually see how long my hair was at this age, though it's not as defined as I would like. I was 13 in this picture.


Long hair

The story of a girl named Amy and her hair

Once upon a time there was a girl named Amy.


Amy

She had thick hair that was getting quite long. Now, mind you, it was not quite as long as it had once been. It was not even as long as she wanted it to be.


Here's the hair.

Amy's mother told her that her hair was too long. It was becoming unmanageable and scraggly. Amy's brother agreed.



Maybe.


And then, maybe not.

Amy was sad. She did not want to cut her hair. She was afraid that if she cut it, she would not be able to style it as well. Amy liked putting her hair into different styles.


Amy won't be able to do this anymore!

Amy now has a decision to make. Will she get her hair cut? The appointment has been set. Saturday is D-Day. Actually, it's C-Day (cut day.) She will have to decide if she is brave enough to go through with it. To be continued...

Do I really want to go back to this? Do you know how long it took me to grow it out?!!!

P.S. I am not really going to cut my hair that much. I'll probably just cut off about 3 inches - still long enough to do french braided pig tails :)

Q: How do you get Amy to post to her blog?

A: Give her homework to do!

Okay, enough procrastinating. I'm off to create a flowchart.

It's that time of year again!

SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS...SOME SEVERE WITH VERY LARGE HAIL...DAMAGING WINDS TO 70 MPH...AND POSSIBLY A FEW TORNADOES ...WILL DEVELOP ALONG AN APPROACHING DRYLINE...OR 50 MILES EITHER SIDE OF ABOWIE...BRIDGEPORT...MINERAL WELLS...STEPHENVILLE LINE BY 3 PM OR SHORTLY THEREAFTER. A FEW SUPER CELLS STORMS ARE EXPECTED...THROUGH EARLY EVENING...BEFORE INCREASING IN COVERAGE AND FORMING A BROKEN SQUALL LINE WITH EMBEDDED SUPER CELLS...BY 4 TO 5 PM TOWARDS THE INTERESTATE 35 CORRIDOR...INCLUDING ALL OF THE DALLAS-FORT WORTH METROPLEX. THE POTENTIAL FOR SEVERE WEATHER WILL PERSIST ACROSS EASTERN PORTIONS OF NORTH TEXAS WELL INTO THE EVENING HOURS. THREATS WILL CONTINUE TO BE VERY LARGE HAIL...DAMAGING WINDS TO 70 MPH...AND A FEW TORNADOES ...AS PERSISTENT...STRONG WIND SHEAR AND INSTABILITY REMAIN OVER THE REGION...ALONG WITH A FEW SURFACE BOUNDARIES.GULF MOISTURE WILL CONTINUE TO SURGE NORTHWARD INTO NORTH TEXAS THE REMAINDER OF THE DAY AND THIS EVENING. FURTHERMORE...INCREASING LIFT FROM AN UPPER LEVEL DISTURBANCE AND DRYLINE WILL INTERACT WITH THESE FEATURES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. A FEW OUTFLOW BOUNDARIES PERSIST ACROSS SOME AREAS FROM EARLIER STORMS...ALONG WITH A STATIONARY WARMFRONTAL BOUNDARY. THESE BOUNDARIES MAY ENHANCE THE POTENTIAL FOR TORNADOES WITH SEVERE STORMS THAT ARE ROTATING.

Every spring, we have very exciting weather here in Texas. I love spring storms. However, I do not like the destruction they cause. I am sure the insurance companies dislike it even more. Last spring, we had a lot of hail, flooding, tornadoes and such in Springtown (where I live.) A few years ago, a huge high-rise building in downtown Fort Worth had a large percentage of its windows shatter when a tornado went through downtown. They have just now finished remodeling that building. I think it took them 4 years to complete (give or take a year.) Hopefully the weather will clear up before 5:15. That's when I would like to leave work.

An Online Homeschool Convention

Tomorrow something very unusual is happening. An online homeschool convention is taking place. This event is the brainchild of Spunky. Here are the details.

Don't miss the First Online Homeschool Convention
Thursday, April 21, 2005
Spunky HomeSchool Convention Center
The Convention Opens at 9 AM (EST)
Admittance is Free but Comments are Encouraged

Personally, I think this is a great idea. The internet is a great way to network people who share similar convictions and interests. I hope y'all have an opportunity to go visit this convention tomorrow.

Words from a homeschool graduate

I was homeschooled my entire life. Now, as a 20-year-old college student, I cannot be grateful enough for the decision my parents made to homeschool me. It has been beneficial in every way. I cannot think of any drawbacks of my personal homeschooling experience. I loved homeschooling!

Our family homeschools primarily for religious reasons. My parents and I both have deeply held convictions that homeschooling is the best way to train up children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. We believe it is the duty of every Christian parent to ensure that his children receive a Biblical education. This duty goes far beyond simply transferring information. It includes discipling warriors for Christ. Homeschooling is much more than an educational method. It is a lifestyle.

In a few weeks, I will be attending our local homeschool convention. I will browse the curriculum booths, listen to speakers, and purchase lots of books. I hope to glean knowledge from veteran homeschoolers. Next spring, I hope to help my mom teach my younger sisters. All of this is in preparation for the time that I will homeschool my own children. (That is still a few years away – I have to get married and have children first!) I am grateful for the foundation that has already been laid by hundreds of brave and faithful parents. I expect great things of my own future homeschooling journey because I will able to tread the path blazed by those who have gone before me. The foundation my parents laid for me is invaluable and I hope that I will always treasure it. I look forward to the day that I will advance from being a homeschool graduate to being a homeschool parent.

Homeschooling in and of itself is not a magic formula for godly kids. Homeschooling takes work, dedication and discipline on the part of both the parent and the student. The general success of homeschoolers is a result of the sacrifices made by devoted parents and the grace of God. I pray that homeschoolers will not lose the vision of the great task they are called to accomplish!

Prodigal Son

When I was younger, I had trouble understanding the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). The parable itself was not that difficult to comprehend, but I had this strange tendency of sympathizing with the older brother. Poor guy! He was villainized in every sermon I heard preached on the subject. Indignantly I thought, “Hey, he’s the good guy! Why is he getting all of the criticism?” Then I realized something. I had been comparing myself to the older brother. When I admitted my own blindness, I was able to see what Jesus was truly saying. We are all prodigal sons. None of us are the older brother. The older brother does not exist.

"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one
to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." Isaiah 53:6

Our merciful heavenly Father has called us to be a part of His family. I pray that I will never let self righteousness hinder my understanding of what Christ has done for me. God exalts the proud and gives grace to the humble! Oh, that I can learn to be humble!

I Ain't No Saleswoman

If you had a car to sell, and you had many people ask you about buying it, what would you do?

I bought a new car almost 8 months ago, and since then my old one has been turning to rust in the parking lot. I just cannot sell it. I don’t mean that I haven’t had opportunities to sell it. I have had the ideal situation – lots of people have come to me asking if my car was for sale. But when it comes down to telling people the price I’m asking and working through the negotiations necessary to sell a vehicle, I just can’t do it. When people ask me how much I’m selling my car for, I give them the same answer, “Um, I’m not sure.” I have always been terrified about selling things. I distinctly remember the sick feeling in my stomach when I was soliciting sponsors for a pageant I was in. I eventually decided I would much rather pay the entry fee myself, than have to give any more sales pitches. When I was 16 and 17 (two years in a row - I’m a glutton for punishment) I sold advertisements for our local home school yearbook. It was a desperate struggle to keep my voice steady while trying to convince all of the small businesses in our small town to support home schoolers. Then there was the time my brother and I decided to make some extra cash by buying Millionaires wholesale, repackaging them and then selling them. That would not have been so embarrsing if it had not been 3:00 in the afternoon in the middle of July when we decided to sell them. The chocolate candies were, shall I say, not quite firm. Plus they had fingerprints on them. (Part of the repackaging process.) I don’t think we adhered to the health code regulations. Anyway, back to selling my car. I have finally solved my dilemma. I have hired my brother to sell it. It’s a win/win situation. He gets cash and I get cash. Hopefully he doesn’t have sales phobia.

PS: While I was typing this post, yet another person came in and asked me how much I was selling my car for.

PSS: I'm taking a senior- level marketing class this summer at UNT. Maybe it will help me in my selling endeavors.

Weekend Review

I did not accomplish much this weekend. My lofting plans of to-do-list slaying were not realized. Instead, R & R filled up the bulk of my time.

Saturday morning I slept in a little. According to the idealistic routine I had carefully plotted in my head, by this time in the morning I was suppose to have my room and bathroom scrubbed sparkling clean, finished sewing my sisters dress, and read 5 more chapters of my book. Instead, I was groggily stumbling through the kitchen trying to hunt down some breakfast. Eventually Mom came to my rescue with some pancakes from McDonalds. (I rarely eat those, but I was so hungry Saturday morning that I did the unthinkable.) After breakfast, Dad and I ran up to Tractor Supply Company and Lowe’s to get some landscaping supplies. (I say we ran up there. What I really mean is we transversed the vast expanse of freeway between Springtown and Lake Worth and, after a 30-minute commute, finally arrived at our destination.) Anyway, while at Tractor Supply I decided that it might be fun to be a rancher. All of the tractors and cowboy clothes were so cool. And then we went to the Lowe’s Garden Center and I decided it might be fun to have a large flower garden. All of the flowers, shrubs and vines were so pretty. And then we went home and I decided I did not want to work in the yard. Now if I was a rancher or had a large garden, then of course I would love working in the yard. It would come natural. But since I am just a college student, working outside is not romantic. It just makes me sweat. Kind of like reading makes my brain hurt, writing blog posts makes me think too hard, and sewing gets me frustrated. I must remember Thomas Edison’s wise words, "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work."

So far, Sunday has been quite restful. I got up around 7:30, read my Bible and ate a healthy breakfast (a banana). Our home-church service was great, though Allyson did need a spanking to remind her that when Dad says come here, he means the first time. (I guess I should explain that our family is temporarily churchless, but we hope to get back to a regular fellowship soon. It’s a long story that does not need to be explained here.) Where was I? Oh yes, after "church" we went to eat at Spring Creek Barbecue. Sunday afternoon nap time followed, and then our bike riding. We had ridden 2 ½ miles when it began to pour down rain. Since the trail is a dirt trail (and therefore turns to mud), we decided to turn around and head back to the truck.

I am being summoned. Josh, Mom, Dad and I are going to some friend’s house for the evening. It’s time to leave, so I guess I better sign off.

May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you always.

I'm still here!

frus·tra·tion: n the feeling that overwhelms you when you create 3 blog posts that all get eaten by blogger

You would think I'd learn. Sometimes I'm just slow. Eventually I will learn to type out my post in MS Word and then paste it into blogger. Maybe that time has finally come. (Or not, I'm presently using Blogger to type this post.)

I got to meet...

I don't get star struck very easily. If I were to open a candy bar and discover I was a grand prize winner and would get to spend a day with (some very famous person), most likely I would auction off my winning wrapper on ebay. I'm just not that interested in pop culture. Saturday, however, I did exhibit many of the signs of star-struckness. I went crazy over having my picture taken, book signed and palm pilot touched (okay, I'm just joking about the last part), by a man I greatly respect. I was so excited about getting to meet him, that I had trouble putting my money back into my purse after buying his book. So, who is this star I got to meet? None other that Judge Roy Moore. He was signing his new book, So Help Me God, at Lifeway Christian Stores. It was so cool! We got to listen to him quote chapters of the Bible he liked, and comment on current cultural issues. This man is great! Judge Moore is considering running for governor of Alabama. I sure hope he does! My brother and I decided that we could go help him on his campaign if he did. My dad and his entire family are all from AL, so we have a personal ties to that state.


Amy with Judge Moore (Being the brilliant person that I am, I decided to say something right as my brother was taking our picture so I am not modeling the typical "picture smile".)

Josh with former Chief Justice Roy Moore.