Five Minute Friday: Full

I've been thinking about this little neglected blog and how there are things I'd like to do with it and things to share, but life has been full "to the max" and left little time for lingering here.

This past week (month!) life was full with 4-H and the county fair. Since we returned to the midwest and live near my parents' beef farm, the children have been able to experience a bit of my childhood, especially showing cattle. We have traveled to several shows with my dad since we moved back, and just culminated the summer show circuit (for us - taking a pass on the state fair this year) with the county fair. It happened to be one of the hottest ever. Lucky us! But the new beef barn was bearable with all the fans running. It was a bit sad that they didn't get to be in the same barns I stalled in as a child, but I think with the heat, it was a good thing.

I was proud of all three of them. Little G just returned from two weeks of back-to-back camps, and managed to control his attitude and still function (though his brain is pretty much gone at this point).

Glueing up his heifer's leg hair before the show

B fractured her arm 5 days before the cow show part started (fortunately she was done with her other projects), and still managed to lead her calves around, show, them, and pretty much everything except carry the pitchfork with manure (it's heavy!).

Styling her heifer's tail before the show, with help from L

It was a draining 4 days or so, but feels good to have accomplished it and done well!

I hope to post more on the fair later!

Thinking

Blog bunny-trailing, from this post at Daisy Yellow to this post about leaving a legacy, has added fuel to the mental fire that has been kindling the past several months. What have I done with this life God has given me - the first 40 years of it? There are many ways I could have been a better steward of the gifts and resources. What will I do with it now, in the midst of this mid-course correction, as I have come to see this whole move and career change. What kind of legacy do I want to work toward leaving from this point forward?

Last night I read a brief article (in The Homeschool Court Report) in memory of Sono Harris, home-educating mother of seven, including Josh Harris, author of I Kissed Dating Goodbye, and Alex and Brett Harris, authors of Do Hard Things (which sounds like a good read, when time permits). The title alone was thought-provoking: "A Life Well Lived". Could that phrase be used to speak of my own life?

Or I think of that line at the end of Second Hand Lions, where the young man speaks of his great uncles and says, "Yes, they really lived." Am I really living? Or am I going through the motions?

I know the answers to some of these questions and know some changes are in order. There may still be time to leave the kind of legacy God would want me to. I know there have been times when I was headed in the right direction and either slacked off, or was side-tracked by many things, that have led to less than God's best. Isn't it great to have a fresh start? The beginning of a new year feels that way. And God says His mercies are new every morning, so if we give each day to Him, we have an opportunity to start over and live our best for Him, every morning!

Moving twice in 4 months has definitely thrown some kinks into my life in many ways. It has stirred up lots of mental evaluating and churnings and wonderings. From time to time I've thought about this blog and what to do with it. Do I want to put more effort into it and get back to updating it more frequently? And if so, what particular direction could/should it take? I liked how it was when I was being more consistent and posting about a variety of things. But all this change in our lives really has me thinking about my purpose in life in general, and in specific areas, and wondering if I need to be more purposeful in blogging (even if that means just being more purposeful about posting, period). If I ever figure it out, I'll let it be known!

There are a few things I would like to try, and one that I have mentioned previously, is art journaling (and making art in general). To start the year off and give me a goal to work for (as I haven't had a lot of time to sit down and work out some more personal goals on my own) I'm going to attempt to participate in Art Journal Every Day. One (of many) area I'm behind in is uploading and dealing with digital photos, but hopefully that will come shortly.

To begin, for today, I'm going to finish recording the prompts from #reverb10 in my journal. I have been writing them down, and have answered some of them, and will continue to do so in the next few weeks. Watch for some visuals to come.

I also need to put some serious time and effort into getting ready to start up school again. We've taken two weeks off for moving and the holidays, and need to finish finding and arranging our materials and schedule and so forth, to be ready to go on Monday.

Happy New Year to you all!

Wise words

Just read this short post which basically is on being focused, and found it very meaningful, (especially the quote about facebook at the bottom). It was helpful to have someone put so succinctly in words something that I have felt to be so myself - that periods of uninterrupted time for thinking, cleaning, creating, etc., are the most productive. Trying to cram 15 minutes of this or that in here and there doesn't work very well for me, and is a factor in why I'm starting to feel like I'm losing my mind, and other things as well, such as the mail from yesterday. Even now, someone is talking to me while I type. The nights have been getting later and later as I try to squeeze in some things that require more than half my attention, such as figuring out school for next year, and reading a book. A 1.5 hour quiet time used to be strictly enforced around here, but as everyone got older and school required more time each day, that went by the wayside. Yesterday all was aligned in such a way that it worked out for that to happen and it was so nice. It was the first time it felt like anything was remotely accomplished on the list of things that need to be tackled this week.

Life, blogging, simplifying, prioritizing

I just read (skimmed) a post titled "To Be More Joyful: Simplify Your Life". This is something I have known for years, but struggle to do. From at least the time I subscribed to FLYLady for a while (at least 6 years ago or more), to the occasional book or article on the topic, there are frequent reminders of this in my life. Hopefully there will be an opportunity for me to study this article and the corresponding links more carefully, as the lack of simplicity, or at least prioritizing, in my life, is causing my brain to be on overload and to lose various items of information like a sieve. One activity we jumped into, and I do think will be valuable in the future is a local 4-H club. But it got off to a late start and for us to complete the projects in time is going to be stressful, if not impossible. So that is my first area to drop, that will be one less plate to try and keep spinning for the next two months. And we can still enter projects in the county fair open show if we want, but with less strings attached to doing so. Simplicity would also be greatly enhanced by cutting back further on computer time. (I have cut back significantly on Facebook time - increasing privacy concerns, plus a growing boredom with it - helped. But replaced some of that wasted time with reading blogs, which can be inspiring, but also adds to my brain overload as all the fun projects I want to try pile up from blog to blog!)

Though the Christian faith is not a part of this article on "balance", the idea communicated in it is one that has floated around in my brain a bit in a much more fragmented form recently. Isn't it so that those who accomplish great things are often more "unbalanced" believers as well? We just finished reading the biography of Mary Slessor - definitely an unbalanced life that was so effective and had such an impact. (This was one of our school books this year, and though I've read many missionary biographies, I had never learned about this woman. The kids enjoyed this book.)

And here's a short, but thoughtful post on "relaxing vs. refreshing". What truly refreshes you? This is a list I need to make, and will try to share when possible.

Yesterday as part of the sermon on Jonah 2, we were challenged to write our own Psalm, which I would like to do as well.

Last night I spent a few minutes writing out the things we ARE doing this summer, followed by a list of the things I would like to do this summer. While the travels we do in the summer are always good and time well-spent, there is a corresponding trade off of activities that there aren't time for as a result, or not as much time as there could be for, such as planning our school year.

And another new blog

Surprise, surprise! My son also wanted to start a blog as well. If you'd like to check it out, you can do so here.

New blog link

One of my daughters has wanted to start a blog for a while now, and today we finally got it up and running. Hopefully it will be a great opportunity for her to develop her writing, typing, and computer skills. I'm not sure how often she'll post, but it would be great if you could stop by and encourage her there! Click here to check it out! I have set it up so that all comments are moderated (by me) before being posted, as a protection measure for her.

A day

This was one of those days.

When a back-talker back-talks to me about back-talking.

A two soft drink kind of day (which I have been doing better about lately, and going most days without one at all).

It ended with me heading out to the porch for a few minutes of fresh air and quiet at the end of dinner...but everyone followed me.

And then went back in to get something and came back out. Several times.

Until a loud CRASH can be heard through the door. "So long" recycled vase. (I KNEW that was going to happen when I put it there. It's a high traffic area and my children have no bodily awareness.) "Hello" to another clean-up project for mom.

Much of today's drag can be contributed to poor child training and lack of organization on my part. Which is something I should be working on and praying about a planning for right now, but am on the computer. And if you could see my kitchen... So I'm going to go now.

But I wanted to pass along this inspiring blog I happened upon today called We are THAT Family. The past few weeks posts are about her recent trip to Kenya with Compassion and they are convicting and thought provoking. If you keep going back prior to that, there are some more really good things, too. I'm really curious about the book Do Hard Things after reading what she wrote about it here. It sounds like one we might need to get and read to our 10 and 8 yo kids now. For her description of kids' laziness and entitlement mentality, is part of the problem around here. And we just started up a reward system to try and generate a more positive way of motivating them (but maybe it wasn't such a good idea?).

Cool new blog is hosting a giveaway!

A new home schooling blog has launched this week called Simple Homeschooling. They are hosting a giveaway that looks really great. Just click here to sign up!

Grateful Day 25: Y

I'm grateful for YOU...anyone who ever checks in on my little blog here. Thank you for reading, supporting, encouraging, and being interested in whatever might be said! I enjoy blogging and like having a little record of life, but have had a hard time keeping up with it as much as I'd like! Hoping for great things in the coming year!

Remember when I mentioned reading The Pioneer Woman a while back? I hadn't returned to her site till today, but just discovered that she has a whole section devoted to photography with just the kind of info I can handle: short bites and not overly technical. Somehow I made it through pharmacy school but for the life of me, cannot wrap my brain around "apertures" and "f-stops" and all. There's just some block in the neurons that prevents it. Not to say I won't keep trying and might someday get it, but it probably won't be in this life phase where at every given minute of the day there are anywhere from one to four people talking to me. I love all 4 of them dearly of course, but 2 consecutive minutes of silence might do wonders for my tendency towards "ADHD" ("Acutely Drained Housewife - or Homeschooler - Disorder).

I went to the site looking for these Bacon-Wrapped Jalapenos that I learned about here, and ended up wasting 45 minutes that I did NOT have this morning reading posts on her site. Let me say again, that lady has a crazy-huge number of readers! Agh, and now the birthday girl and her entourage are down (up, really, but downstairs for the day and for presents and cinnamon rolls) and no shower for me yet. I'll regret this.

By the way, it was 38F outside and 58F inside when I got up this morning. Brrrr... Hopefully baking those rolls in the oven will warm the house up!

A winner!

I won a fun new bag from Cory at coryanne.net last week! Check out her great boutique and custom-made options! If you look her up on Facebook at Sew Funky! Coryanne.net, she has frequent giveaways, too! Here are a few of her creations from her website:

blogs, blogging, blah, blah, blah

Hello!
Been a while, huh?
Summertime is not necessarily slower, just a different kind of busy. Though after watching a video from SkitGuys.com recently called "God's Chisel" (apparently you must purchase it to watch it, though somehow, someone pasted it on Facebook...?), I'm contemplating how often my "busyness" is in reality, cloaked laziness. Hmmm.... Convicting.


Anyway, I've just spent a few minutes skimming some blogs, an activity that in the past has been part of my daily routine. Perhaps fortunately, that habit has been broken in the past 2 weeks (probably a good thing). It will probably redevelop, but at the moment, the "to do" list has reached a critical mass and beyond, and acting upon it can no longer be delayed. One blog/website that I have visited a few times, but not regularly or often is The Pioneer Woman. That woman has a crazy big following, and one can see why: GREAT photography, recipes, writing, and more. May have to add that to my daily line-up when possible.


It appears that summer might finally be arriving. I think it has topped 70F a couple of times this week already! Here are "the girls" enjoying some fresh grass.

Another inspiring blog to check out

Sally Clarkson has written several books, primarily directed towards home schoolers, and the ones that I have read, are so encouraging and inspiring. For a few months now, a friend has been sharing tidbits she has gleaned from Sally's blog and today was the first time I thought of it while at the computer and tracked it down. I was blessed just in skimming the first post here on friendships and making time for them. Hopefully there will be 5 minutes to read it later today, (though not likely).

Due to a variety of circumstances, it is likely that I will be even scarcer than usual around here for a while... Maybe not, but probably. :)

Changes

For some time now, I've been wanting to make some changes and needing to make some updates to the blog. This first one is obvious, but hopefully here when we are finished with school I can update the info on the sideline to be more current.

MIA

Hello there! It has been a bit challenging to keep up with posting here this spring. I've sort of sensed around the blogging world that it that is true for many. Perhaps it is the arrival of spring and all that comes with it (sorting clothes, making and buying new outfits for those who need them, starting things for the garden, cleaning, etc.). I thought this blogger stated it well:
"Sorry I disappeared there. Life started running faster than me. Had to catch up." Jennifer McGuire

I don't know that much catching up is going on but time is being devoured (wasted, more likely) at a fast pace. It's probably time to revisit my "word for the year" of ACTION, and get on with it!

We're planning to do the Locks of Love contribution this week, along with a recital, Daddy out of town on a mission trip part of the week, etc. Hopefully posts and pictures coming soon!

Fun cake blog

Have you seen this blog? I've checked it out before but was impressed with the Hello Kitty "cake pops," as well as the 14-layer cake! She's is really good at making desserts that look beautiful.

Burma (Myanmar) and books

It is interesting that we just recently read the book I recommended here about Burma. Since we don't really receive any television stations, we haven't been able to follow the tragedy with the kids via that medium at all.



I'm a little behind on blogging due to the recent visit of my family and a couple of full days since they left. I'm about to let go of my inhibitions about posting pictures of the kids. I figured I eventually would. Not as for pictures of myself...I'm NOT over the inhibition of even having them taken, let alone posting them!!!



The kids' recital went well. There was a last minute change of location which was a bit of a disappointment (from the usual stage/auditorium to a classroom), but my parents and Geoff's mom were all here for the event which was festive. I felt bad for B (though it didn't seem to bother her much) because they have had two practice sessions with the pianist and she played her song flawlessly at the practice session, but at the recital got stuck a few times. She still did well for a 6yo.
Here's a brief portion of G's song:



B finally got her teeth pulled (the four lower front ones) Tuesday. For one who is often quite dramatic, she sure does well with situations like that. The dentist said she didn't move while he was working on her and she never cried or whined about it.



Other miscellaneous tidbits...

Last week (which seems more like a month ago) I went out for dinner with a friend to belatedly celebrate my birthday. (Roughly two weeks after the fact we found a time that we were both available.) The night before we went she sent me an email, "Where should we go, the nut house?" Little G, who is becoming increasingly certain that anything that is our (Geoff's and my) business should also be his business (i.e. nosy), was reading over my shoulder and said, "What's the nut house?"

confession & a cookbook

I really enjoy reading other peoples' blogs. It has become one of my favorite leisure time activities in the past 6 months or so (though not helped my personal "productivity"). Through that I've gotten some ideas of directions this could go, but the confession part is that I'm a little paranoid about posting pictures and personal info, even though I know lots of people do it. The idea that random people I'm not even aware of have much info about me or my family, is a little unsettling. Yet I see that the blogging community can be a vibrant and encouraging one and fun to be a part of. And reading and commenting on others blogs fills a little of the need for interaction with others that there seems to be so little time or opportunity to squeeze in to a week, with homeschooling, having little ones, and the typical busy American lifestyle. So I may have to warm up to being more vulnerable here over time. We'll see what happens!



My favorite blogs to read are scrapbooking, sewing, cooking, personal friends, and sometimes other homeschoolers. I'd like to share some of my creative pursuits along the way but was thinking about whether that was egotistical - thinking that anyone else might want to see them! But came to the conclusion that I really enjoy seeing what others have made or created - whether it is scrapbook pages, handbags, aprons, or meals - and that it inspires or motivates me to see their creations on their blogs and blesses me when they share their talents.

Sometime soon I'll post some links on the sidebar to some of my favorites!


On that note and a lighter side, I read about this book on someone's blog recently and requested it from the library:

I'm in the process of my first attempt. I read the high altitude suggestions and discussion on their website http://www.artisanbreadinfive.com/ and am guessing it may take some experimentation to get it quite right. But there are lots of yummy options inside. I'll let you know and post pictures of the results later. Might have to add it to my already excessive collection of cookbooks.