Down Mulberry Lane

Beware of identity thief

My best friend Janet sent me this e-mail, here is just some of it:

I just had to share a few of the really cute ones!  Where do I sign up??   Hope it made you smile. god Bless, mj

YUCKY DAYS

I WAS SICK BOTH YESTERDAY AND TODAY WITH "THE D WORD" AND SOME VOMITING.  I REALLY HATE IT WHEN I AM SICK...IT MAKES ME REALLY BEHIND ON EVERYTHING AND I FEEL REALLY DISCONNECTED FROM MY CHILDREN.  AND TO TOP IT OFF...TODAY WAS MY BIRTHDAY.  MY SWEET ANGEL YOUNGEST DAUGHTER MADE BREAKFAST IN BED FOR ME AND BROUGHT IT TO ME ON A TRAY AND I HAD TO TELL THE SWEETHEART THAT MOMMY COULDN'T EAT IT.  BUMMER!!!!!!  IT REALLY GETS ME DOWN EMOTIONALLY TO BE SICK AND OUT OF COMMISSION.  I REALLY USE THE WORD REALLY ALOT, DON'T I?  HERE'S HOPING THAT TOMORROW IS THE BEGINING OF BETTER DAYS.

MELANIE

Give me liberty.........I guess

It's here and paid for. We took to town tonight and lived to tell the tale, too. (nice alliteration, wouldn't you say?LOL)

Today started off early. I was so tired that I skipped my workout. Knowing that I'd be roller skating later helped. I threw the roast and potatoes in the crock pot and took off. I managed not to forget anything either.;) We had our MOMS Christmas party and that was fun! Not much gift stealing, but lots of chat time. Then to skating, which went well. Then to Pizza Hut for the BookIts. I packed myself a protien bar and tried to get a cappucino at McDs and they have stopped carrying them in order to carry the McCafe line. It won't be in for 2 months!!!!!!!! So I got a coke after waiting all of htat time. Then to the PO to mail off some decoy mail. I hope they reimburse me. Actually I'd just like to see my spring and fall checks....

Then to library, where I had a nice time chatting. It can get political and not get ugly. Plus we talked about TEOFWAWKI (The end of the world as we know it). I think I"m going to convince to get a lifetime gun permit (don't ask me details--I just know how much it costs!LOL). And wind power--it's very big around here, but I"m a bit skeptical as to low wind turbines working well. So I"m curious to see how this will pan out for my neighbor (and fellow homeschooler).

Then home, where the Jeep ppl were waiting in my drive! They were early so I didn't feel badly. I got the van unloaded and did what needed to be done for that and DH test drove it and signed the papers. I'm on this title. I refused to be on Stupider's title. And, no, it's not a big deal cuz I"ll inherit all of DH's stuff anyway!LOL It was just the principle!LOL

Then Mat offered to let us 'test' the liberty and go to town adn return his airhog. Thankfully they took it back w/o question. I'm hoping to convince him not to buy another one, but we'll see. I did however find inline skates on clearance! Too bad we just skated today! I wouldn't have thought anything of them, but another HS told me that she got ones that adjust 4 sizes! I found 1-4 and 4-7 in BLUE (heaven forbid the boys use pink or purple!LOL)! Mat may not be able to wear his long, but *I"LL* be able to use them inbetween! Joey's in a 1 so he's good for a long time. Mat's in a 6. BUT Mat threw a fit the one time he rented inlines and went back to regular. So I told him that IF we keep these (he wants to) he WILL use them or pay me skate rent (and I"ll use the inlines--which should be a hoot since I can barely stay up on regular skates!LOL I can ice skate tho and they say that they are like ice skates). So I think we'll keep them either way. Joey's young enuf that can switch to inlines easily. Mat's been on regular skates since he was 3 and skated weekly. They were $30/each, which sounds steep, but given the adjustable part AND that inlines rent for $3, it'll save money in about a year.

Then home to the roast potatoes and carrots. YUMMY!  cheated and used a crock pot liner since I knew I'd feel like chopped liver by the time we were done.

And tomorrow is cleaning the entire house. Fun fun.;)

To anonymous, my reply

I wrote a post on how we will not be able to buy used clothes or toys anymore.   I received a reply from "Anonymous"   Here is what "Anonymous has said:

I think its a great idea. I think buying used clothes and toys is nasty and cheap. Do you know everyone single person who get them from. You have no idea what kind people sell this stuff. Do they smoke live on a farm with dirt and animals? Why not just buy stuff at the store that is lead free and made in America? Look for sales and buy it then.  

My Reply:

1. is I am dirty and nasty!  I make my children dirty and nasty because we buy some used clothes! !   Are you dirty and nasty too? Ok , hello wake up anonymous!  Used close is NOT nasty and dirty.  Have you ever used or even heard of soap?  It is a neat thing you can CLEAN with it.

2. If the old owner smoked , um here we go again SOAP!

3. Is I am a dirty yup, I will admit it! !  I love to play in my garden, to feel the dirt , dig holes, put plants and seeds in!   I own a FARM I am getting dirtier!!!!!  I raise hogs, poultry, beef, goats,we have have horses and so many animals it will make your head spin!  We run bare foot most of the time on our farm, Even more dirt!!  We live in California and we just do not wear shoes unless we have too.  I know this is a bad habit . but we do it.

My daughter Kristi was verry sick on summer she had pneumonia and Shayna and I along with a hired man where building a barn.  So we set up a tent with a bed and a air cleaner for Kristi.  I went to go check on her and I found her in the pig pen curled up in the pigs bed of straw with her 500lb sow wrapped around her , she kept Kristi safe. So my family is odd.

But guess what all the dirt washes of in the shower/bath.  There is a wonderful new invention called a washing machine.  You add your clothes and SOAP and it washes them , Amazing I know.   Check them out!!

This FARMER is proud to be a FARMER.  I was not brought up that way.  I was brought up a rich *B*.  My dad is a famous singer, guitar player.  I was raised with singers, movie stars and more. 

But you know what makes me happy?? My life as a FARMER , growing thing , animals.  When I am done at the end of the day I take a shower and use SOAP to get clean.  When I am done I slip on my Guess jeans & shirt, la mystere bra.     ok some habits are hard to break !!  

 I do look for  jeans that someone bought and they did not fit , or wore a few times to buy.  why pay $79.00 for my jeans when I can get them for about $20.00 on ebay?!?!? 

Did you know you can find brand new clothes at thrift stores?  Yes, it is true.  We find them all the time.  We like some brands. I love Guess, the girls love Bongo and Candies, Roxy, but we buy them at a way lower prices than we could ever dream of getting at a regular store on sale.

Anonymous get real !  My friends keep looking and buying used.  The other people do not know what they are missing!!

God Bless, mj

Requested Recipe

Hebrews 10:26...

"Natural" GMO meds?

WASHINGTON – You've heard of making cheese from goats' milk, but prescription drugs? In what would be a scientific first, an anti-clotting drug made from the milk of genetically engineered goats moved closer to government approval Wednesday after experts at the Food and Drug Administration reported that the medication works and its safety is acceptable.

Called ATryn, the drug is intended to help people with a rare hereditary disorder that makes them vulnerable to life-threatening blood clots.

Its approval would be a major step toward new kinds of medications made not from chemicals, but from living organisms genetically manipulated by scientists. Similar drugs could be available in the next few years for a range of human ailments, including hemophilia.

Ok, I'm always on the rather outside of popular thought here I know, but am I seriously one of only a few who think this is just a bit beyond normal?  I understand the medical ramifications here, and of course I'm not saying allow folks to suffer when a potential 'help' is out there.  But this GMO craze the government is on is so obviously NWO.

I'm not even going to debate anything, I'm just making an observation.

We are being given Hell in a handbasket and accepting it with not only willing, but grabbing hands.

Prayers for Israel

    " Pray for peace in Jerusalem: May those who love her be safe. May there be peace within her walls and safety within her strong towers." 

                   ~ Psalm 122: 6 & 7 NCV ~

Like many of you my heart goes out to Israel at this time.  The media has launched an anti-Israel campaign.  They are not telling the truth about what is really going on there.  My prayers are that peace will be in Jerusalem. The bible tells us to pray for Israel and for her peace. I pray the United States may always be counted as one of her allies.  Israel still has a destiny to fulfill and God has His eyes on His people.  His promises will be fulfilled in due time.

Praying,

~ gloria ~

Just everyday things

Nothing unusual has happened lately because basically we stay at home.  We have been a very deep, deep freeze around here.  At first most people did not venture out of their homes but now that it has carried on for a month, without break, everyone has the need to escape the home front regardless of the temperature. 

I went out to a meeting last night.  I always wonder what I would do if the van slid off the road or the van broke down.  I sometimes feel like I should dress as though I were going on a dog sled.  It was -40 last night but during the daylight yesterday their were some fantasically beautiful sun dogs that were burning like fire.  They were far from the sun on either side and an old Native lady up here told me that that means warm weather is on it's way.    We all hope she's right!!

Yesterday I kept busy with baking 6 batches of granola.  I also concocted two batches of homemade laundry soap (It works good).  I taught the boys their homeschool and then helped them build a fort out of blankets.  I burned some lentle stew and then when I picked it up it slipped and I dumped it all over the wall.  I then proceded to slice some baggles, after cleaning the last mess, and managed to slice my finger open so my youngest son struggled to open up a bandage for me while my little, tiny cut poured out blood in profusion.  Then he informed me that he needed a nap and for the rest of the day lay in bed, thowing up and running a fever.   I thought I would give him a little orange juice with some GSE in it but for some reason I bumped the pitcher and poured the juice outside of the glass.  aaagh!!!  I give up!  I did make a nice supper, though, of speggheti, salad, and espargus cooked with garlic and butter.   half way through enjoying my meal I realized I had a meeting to go to and I had better hurry up.  So much for relaxing!  Oh well, it was a good meeting.

Today,  my kids and I logged on to "Supercharged Science" and enjoyed the presentation on astronomy very much!  The kids loved it! 

Now I need to go clean the church and take down all the Christmas decorations.  Hopefully I'll not be as clutzy as yesterday!

Sorry this is just rambling but that's really all I had to share today. 

Hope You are all having a wonderful day!

Homeschooling thru the years...

I realized today I have not blogged much about homeschooling.  Our family began homeschooling years and years ago, when my oldest child  ( 15 yrs old now) at the time was getting ready for kindergarten. I remember reading everything I could about home education and then taking the "plunge"!  Of course back then I had just a few little ones to school, and now there are 8 children being homeschooled at home! 

Homeschooling does pose it's challenges --  but overall I have been really pleased with the results.  I can't even imagine putting my kids in the public school system.  I know there are many wonderful & gifted teachers teaching in the schoools, and I am sure many kids are receiving a good education.   The decision to homeschool is much more than "academics" to me.  It's more about "relationship" with my kids then academics. Oh sure, we do have our texts and our projects we are working on, but the focus has never been on the "books" but on character development and relationships. My greatest desire is to keep my kid's hearts and to really lead them to a personal walk with the Lord.  I want our schooling time and our books we use to glorify God and to teach truth not relativism or humanism.

So we continue to homeschool. Some days I am tired. Like many of you I deal with the yearly "burn out" syndrome, and the days do come where I ask myself "why am I doing this to myself"!   But when I stop to really think about things and look into my kid's faces and eyes..... there is NO way I could put them in the local school.  I just can't. 

Does that mean homeschooling is a "perfect" fit? No! I am sure that there are many things I could be doing better as their teacher and there are hard days when I am struggling along with a child and something they are trying to understand or learn.  But overall, homeschooling is so much more than academics. ... it's a way of life...... our life does not revolve around "school" ........ we do have a time set aside each day for doing the math, the grammar, the spelling, etc. But we have learned to be flexible and to keep the "big picture" in mind.

Recently I found out a good friend of mine has quit homeschooling her kids after years of doing so. It just broke my heart.  She has beautiful children and for the life of me I don't understand why she would make that choice. But regardless of how I feel about homeschooling, I know it's not for everyone.

One of the things I really love about homeschooling is the ability it gives me to really *know* my kids.... there is no "guessing" what is going on in their minds...... everything is revealed and there is nothing hidden....if there is a problem, it's evident..... if there is an attitude that needs to be adjusted that is known too...... it's all up front and open....... no hiding anything... that can be tough, especially when mom's flaws are "open" too!  So I openly admit, homeschooling is a "stretch" for mom, and it certainly does keep me on my toes!  ( no hiding my sins behind closed doors around here!!)

I wanted to share one aspect of homeschooling that I really, really love and that is the opporotunity that homeschooling can give to really develop a love of learning in our children . By that I do not mean learning their math facts or spelling words -- what I mean is loving to learn about something for the sake of loving to learn!  Each month my kids choose a topic that they wish to study and dwelve into.... it can be anything........ and believe me we have had some interesting topics thru the years. :)  After their assigned subjects are completed they can spend as long as they wish studying their "topic of choice".   At the end of the month we have a "report night" where each child writes up a report on their topic, presents an oral report ( they hand in a typed report for me to file) and can also share a display board with drawings or print outs.  The kids really look forward to this night!  They enjoy sharing their knowledge with the rest of the family.  It gives them a sense of accomplishment.   My husband & I also enjoy hearing about what they are learning and what they have gleaned from their in depth study. 

Here are some snapshots of  our report night we held a few nights back.  As always the reports were interesting and varied.  :) 

This past month we had:

Sarah studied  about the Pilgrims.  Big sister Hannah, helped her put a display board together. :)  She loves to give these reports, even though she is just 6 yrs old and needs help reading her report a loud. :)

Paul learned about Abraham Lincoln .  The twins are getting much better with their reading and didn't need much help giving their reports!

Peter gave a wonderful report on Martin Luther King Jr.

Rebekah studied about Anne Frank.....

Samuel gave a wonderful report on William Penn -- the founder of Pennsylvania ....I learned a ton just by listening to his report!

Rachel enjoyed learning about the "maide of Louraine"....Joan of Arc.......

Hannah studied up on Mary Queen of Scotts......... what a sad and interesting life she led.....Hannah loves to study about famous women in history....... she's a lot like her mom. :) I too love studying the lives of famous women -- right now I am reading about the life of Susanna Wesley the mother of Charles & John Wesley.

Last but not least, Jacob gave us a very detailed report on the Vietnam War.......he loves to study wars, and he really learned a lot. This month he has chosen to study  the Korean War, so he really is into this "war" studies lately!  He loves history and mostly chooses historical topics of interest.

This coming month the kids have chosen the following topics to study:

Jacob: Korean War, Hannah : Christopher Columbus, Rachel: Eleanor Roosevelt, Samuel: Lightening, Rebekah: Horses, Peter: George Washington ( again!), Paul: Trains, Sarah : Dogs

I hope my kids can look back upon their years homeschooling with fondness. :)  I know I will have many many memories to look back upon.  No regrets here, even though there are the the "days" I wonder what on earth I have done to myself!

~ gloria ~