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Fabulous Friday

What a glorious day! I am having a Pollyanna-ish moment- it’s a beautiful day- everything smells fresh and lovely and I am content. Ahhh.

In honor of this being the 30^th day of June- Here’s 30 thoughts from “off the top of my head”.

f My daughters are finishing up their last day @ Vacation Bible Camp.

f My DS2 is sleeping ever so cutely on the couch and muffle snoring, as I type.

f My clothes line props have come in @ the local hardware store and I will pick them up on my way to get my girlies.

f My garden is growing oh, so loverly.

f I am burning a Granny Smith Apple tart- also loverly.

f Ah, clean sheets for the beds.

f My knee has stopped hurting.

f I have my Sunday School Lesson all done.

f We are going to a friend’s home for a cook-out tonite.

f I scrubbed the kitchen counters.

f I also set out a beautiful little flower arrangement on the kitchen table- with flowers from my garden!

f I finished sewing buttons on DD9’s school bag.

f There is new glass in my front door.

f I washed the curtain that goes on said door and it smells soooo good.

f I have purchased my father’s birthday present already- and it’s a great gift! [Note: The League of Grateful Sons DVD from Vision Forum]

f My dining room table is not a “hot spot” for *stuff* today.

f Did I mention I’m not cooking supper tonite?

f I ate 2 sugar cookies for breakfast- just because I wanted too!

f I paid all the bills and got them in the mail before the mail carrier arrived this morning (also must say that I am delighted to still have a nice tidy little sum still in the checkbook afterwards!)

f Chocolate Cherry Festival Coffee. Yummy!

f Song lyrics: There’s a peace in my heart, that the world never gave, a peace it cannot take away . . . .

f Colored pens and a really big calendar. [I just love giving each family member a color and then color coordinating w/the calendar]

f I have planned out 3 weeks of menus.

f All the fun- shoot ‘em up high fireworks are illegal in Michigan- but can be purchased about 5 miles away @ the state line.

f Yesterday I witnessed a traveling meth lab being gone thru by state police. (Interesting and depressing and down right worrisome.)

f Hmmm. Just got a phone call from neighbor saying she just heard the local bank here in town had been robbed this morning. (Yep, I got money in there)

f Yay- my hubby just came home earlier than usual from work.

f MMM. Welcome Home Kisses. xxxxx

f Ah- the encouragement of lovely blog comments.

f Gotta go get those girlies! And Daddy can come too and surprise them. Yippee.

Gotta Skitter!

Strike Out

Okay- I just gotta ask- how do I do that really cool trick of making a list and then striking out certain parts. I  underline- no problem . . . . I'd really love to do this. Such fun.
So- somebody please help me!!!

Tuesday 10

Name YOUR Ten favorite things about the season of Summer.................

1.  Sleeping in!

2.  Swimming- lazy beach days

3.  Late nite campfires with the kiddos

4.  Garden fresh tomatos (and eating the other bounty of the garden)

5.  Michigan strawberries- yum!

6.  My Garden

7.  Catching lightening bugs

8.  Reading more

9.  Farmers Market

10. Morning devotions and a cup of coffee on my porch swing

10 Tuesday

My Ten on Tuesday. 

Name five good things you remember about your Father....
- Sitting on his lap in church and measuring my little white hand against his large dark sun-kissed one
- riding with him in the semi when he worked nights for Pioneer
- Family Vacations- he always made time for one every summer
- He built us a play house
- The work ethic he instilled in me- always finish what you start, don't make a promise you can't keep and make sure you keep the ones you do make, no matter how bad the job might be or how much you might hate it- work at it as if you love it and give it 110%

Name five things you notice and love about your husband that makes him a great Dad...
- He always kisses & hugs them and tells them he loves them -EVERY day (something he didn't have growing up)
- He listens! REALLY listens.
- He will put down what ever he is doing and help them or play with them if they ask- He show them that they are more important than tasks
- He prays for the children and I daily and prays over them so that they can hear his blessings
- He gives the bestest piggy-back rides and when he plays horsy he never tires out like Mama does!
--- have to add- he kept the little footprints DS2 made in the new cement steps to our front porch
There is so much more that I could say- I have been sooooo blessed with a such a darling and delightful husband and my Daddy was (and still is) the BEST.

Feast for Friday

Appetizer
About how much money did you spend on gas this week?  Oh dear. We had a little get-away Up North- we've spent $74.50 to fill up the tank 3 times. I just filled up yesterday for $2.63  (an excellent price around here!) and hopefully that will get me to at least next Wednesday.

Soup
What is your favortite brand of toilet paper?  I go for Angelsoft cause it holds up nice and is still pretty cheap. I grew up on some one-ply tissue that felt like sandpaper on your bum! One thing I won't skimp on is good TP!!!!
Salad
When was the last time you discovered something that you thought was pure genius? Hmmm. I really can't think of anything right now. I do think finding alternative fuel sources that can be available to everyone isa good one . . . .

Main Course
What is the least amount of sleep you can get by on per night?  As long as it's not night after night- I can get by on about 3 hours. I'm a youth pastor- there have been lock-ins where I have been up all nite and then some and then had to go home and take care of my family!

Dessert
June is a popular month for weddings. Do you know anyone who is getting married this month?   Yes, a dear friend who works with my DH. We will be attending the wedding tomorrow. It should be very sweet.

Thursday Three

My Thursday Threesome.  

I am seeing….. My beautiful herb garden. My DH mowing. The sun shining down thru the tree tops- such vivid greens and golds! Ah, also a stack of paperwork to my right- the parent manual for my youth group . . . . .

I am hearing…. The birdies chirping, hubby mowing, DS2 snuffle snoring, myself typing.

I am smelling… ah, the smell of fresh cut grass! Also my new lavender and sage candle in the dining room . . . . . mmmm.

Feasting on Friday

My Friday Feast.  Be sure to savor the flavor and clean your plate! 

Appetizer

What was your first job?  Babysitting. First job where FICA took my money- Kentucky Fried Chicken

Soup

Name some of the things you collect.  Dust bunnies, Lighthouses, Willow Tree figurines, rocks, candles, garden art, Longaberger baskets

Salad

Name a recent fad that you just don't 'get'.  Um- guy's wearing fitted "girl jeans". I am a youth pastor and yes, this is true. Guys are wearing lowrise form-fitted "girl jeans" and not only do I not "get it" I find it more than disturbing . . . .

Main Course

Describe the worst weather situation you have ever been in.  The blizzard of 1979 was bad but I was young and thought it was completely fun to be able to go sledding off our front porch roof (the snow had drifted that high!) We had a HUGE windstorm in the Spring of 2004 which set off the tornado sirens intown- we spent about 20 minutes or so in our basement. We lost a lot of branches, flattened out my garden, my brother watched part of his roof whip off his house . . . . we were very blessed it wasn't worse- which it was for some.

Dessert

Which shoe do you put on first?  The Left.

Wed. Whimsical

What is your favorite summer vegetable?

 Corn on the cob! Mmmmhhhmm! Yum!

Tuesday 10

1) To be indestructible or incredibly rich?  rich

2) chocolate or vanilla?  chocolate

3) mow the lawn weekly or whenever it is jungle length? I don't mow- hubby does. We have a law intown that you will be fined if your grass is longer than 8 inches. He mows about once every 2 weeks on average- less when there is less rain.

4) winter sports (hockey, football, etc...) or summer sports (baseball, golf, etc...) summer- baseball, volleyball

5) cookies or cake?  hmm. I find I eat more if it's cookies- gotta have @ least 3. Depends on the type of cake/cookie.

6) vote on the issues or with your political party?  issues

7) Indiana Jones or James Bond?  Indiana Jones- used his brain more and gadgets less.

8) dinner with Osama Bin Laden or hunting trip with Dick Cheney?  pass on both.

9) be able to swim underwater without having to come up for air, or be able to fly?  swim

10) talk like Foghorn Leghorn or Elmer Fudd (both from Bugs Bunny cartoons)?  "Well, Ah say, Ah say, Hey there boy- Ah'ma talkin' to you. Ah, said, Ah, said come heera boy. Come Heera!" Hope you get my "impersonation"

Friday Feast

My Friday feast .  . . .

Appetizer

From which country(s) are some (or all) of your ancestors?  Scotland, England, Germany, Sweden. 

Soup
On a scale from 1- 10 with ten being the most active- how would you rank yourself.  Hmm. Before my Supermom vitamins I'd have to say 5.5- I'd start slow pick up speed mid-morning and sputter out late afternoon and one last burst in the evening. Now with my vitamins. . . . I'd have  to say 7.5. I still get going a bit slow but I stay active/productive all day long. I sometimes wear a pedometer and average about 5-6 miles a day- most days. Some days I'm lucky to slug thru 3 miles.

Salad
You head into the pet store.  Which section do you go for first?  Fish. The kiddos love looking at the fish. You know- I don't go to pet stores . . . .

Main Course
Name three odd or unusual things about yourself  that most people might not know (hidden talents, gifts, dreams, likes, hobbies, etc...)

1) I play clarinet -like riding a bike- once you learn you don't forget except I'm REALLY rusty and "squawk" a lot more than I use to.

2) I hate having to take the car for oil changes- once (about 10 yrs ago) I let the car go 13,000 miles between oil changes. My DH just about fainted! By the by- the car was fine.  

3) I don't know a third secret! I'm an open book!!! LOL

Dessert
How would you describe your sneeze?  Oh this is a funny one- I am constantly teased about my sneeze! It's very tiny and a bit high pitched staccato. ah-choo-i-oo. My DH says my brain may implode if I keep holding it in like that.

My Tuesday 10

Ten things I am planning on doing this summer:

1. Go with my family to Great Wolf Lodge!
2. Shop @ Cherry Republic- Yum!
3. Pioneer Unit Study with my DDs
4. Homemade ice cream
5. Go to DDs little league games
6. Youth Beach Bible Study
7. 5 Graduation Open Houses
8. Go to the Woman of Faith Conference
9. Camping- Yankee Springs, Cade Lake and ?
10. Go to the Drive-in Movies @ least once

Just Another Manic Monday

My Manic Monday. 

What are your favorite three things to do when it rains?

Today the rain is cold . . . . So I will: read, snuggled under a cozy blanket and then take a nap with DS2.
If the rain is warm: We'd go out and puddle jump, make roads and rivers in the dirt and yep, I'd still read.
Reading is a great rainy day activity.

Thurs. 3some

My Thursday Threesome.  Think homespun, homemade, and home loved as Mother's Day is Sunday....

Happy Mother's Day

Onesome:  Happy- What did your mama do that made you happy or smile?  It can be something from when you were really young, or something very recent.  Tell us a few things about ways she left you with a smile...

Younger- my dad worked 2nd shift so Mon-Fri, Mom was a "single" mom. Every once in a blue moon- she'd declare junk food nite. We'd go to the store and buy Hostess Ho-Hos and twinkies, and cheese puffs, squirt cheese & Ritz crackers, pop and each get to pick out our favorite candy bar . . . . then home to gorge ourselves and be silly together- either watching something funny on TV or playing music and dancing around like crazy people. It was a great way to break up monotony and now I even better understand (cause I'm a mom) why SHE needed it just as much (more) than we did!

Older- my mom is the bestest Goodwill shopper I've ever known. She goes to @ least 5 different Goodwills within  50 mile radius (some @ least once a week) and finds the greatest bargians for herself and us. She purchases a LARGE part of my children's wardrobes and saves me booko $$. It is such a blessing for me as we wouldn't be able to keep these 3 growing kids in clothes if it wasn't for her!

Twosome:  Mother's-  Tell us one thing you will or would tell your Mom 'thanks!' for on Sunday. 

I would tell my Mama- there is so much- I often write my mama a note of thanks . . . . but right now in my life- I'd say "Thanks for all the prayers and support. Thanks for taking the kids when I'm frustrated and about to go insane!"

Threesome:  Day- So if you are a mama, sound off what kind of day you will have on Sunday, and if you are a guy- what are you doing this Sunday for Mom? 

My DDs will probably get my DH to help make breakfast in bed for me and give me beautiful homemade cards. Then we are off to church. After church is Mothers Day Dinner @ my brother & sister-in-law's home with my family. We will then try and see my DH's mother sometime in the afternoon and hopefully (fingers crossed) I'll get a nap!

My Wed. Whimsical

Here's MY Wednesday Whimsical.  Be sure to keep your feet on the ground as you daydream-

Let's imagine you have all the money and transportation you need, and farm and garden is tended and no worries- now you have a week to go and vacation.  Expense is not an issue, but it has to be somewhere within a day's drive from your home.  Where would you go and what would you do?

This is soooo easy to answer! Mackinac Island! I thought about staying @ the Grand Hotel the entire time- but since money isn't an option and I like my solitude/space . . . . We'd rent a furnished home for the week within throwing distance of the shore. On Mackinac you can watch the sun rise and set over the water. We'd take horseback rides and bike rides and go on picnics, visit the fort/museums, buy fudge! Eat white fish, fly kites, purchase silly souvenirs, eat large ice cream [waffle] cones, have bonfires and cook-outs--- oh, what a wonderful family vacation that would be- without typical worries of watching what we are spending.
Thanks for the daydream Carla!

10 on Tuesday

Here's My Ten on Tuesday-

1) gingham or delicate floral?  floral

2) baseball or football?  baseball

3) pasta or potato?  pasta

4) pen or pencil?  pen

5) The Chronicles of Narnia or The Lord of the Rings (all three)?  The Lord of the Rings but I love them both soooooo much!

6) goat or cow? goat

7) boat or airplane?  boat

8) humid and hot or desert like hot?  um- ug, neither. desert-like hot

9) 1970's or 1980's? E-gads! Hmmm. 80's- I can still do the hair styles!

10) bed and breakfast or deluxe hotel with swimming pool? bed and breakfast- most definitely.

My Manic Monday

Here's my Manic Monday-

What are three words you would use to describe the weather where you live this morning (or evening)?
Sunny, warming, lovely

Thursday Threesome

What are three things you have done lately that are saving you money? 

1. Hanging clothes to dry

2. Don't wash clothes as often- if it's not dirty or smelling- put it back in your dresser drawer!
3. I am attempting this week to make my own laundry detergent . . . .

By the by- I am also like KayinPa- a bargin shopper I do my level best never to pay full price for something . . . . .

Amy's Friday Feast

Appetizer

What's one word or phrase that you use a lot? "I said No!" or the other version "I said STOP!" Ah the days of toddlerhood. could also add "I said GET DOWN NOW!"
Soup
If you could live in any ancient city during the height of the quality of its society and culture, which one would you choose? Egypt- Alexandria

Salad
If you had to live in a large city, which one would you want it to be? Man, do I hafta? USA- I'd say Chicago. Other- Some big city- like Dublin in Ireland- might as well get the flavor of a different culture if I gotta live large!

Main Course
What is something you consider to be very elegant? In particular, what about that item/place/person conjures up the feeling of elegance? Hmmm. Gotta think . . . . Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. The majestic front porch,chandeliers, antiques, glitz and glam and pampering. Dinner is dressy- dresses for ladies- suit and tie for men. You feel out of place walking around in shorts and flip-flops!

Dessert
If you had a boat, what would you name it?  MINE! No, really, I'd name it Whimsical. 

Thursday Threesome

Here is your Thursday Threesome.  Enjoy memory lane- but don't forget to put your name in the comments so we can see where you stroll....

Name three scents that take you back to your childhood.  They don't have to be your favorites- just ones that take you back. 

1. Lilacs

2. Hogs (grew up on a hog farm)

3. Tide Detergent (Mom always used it- still uses it. When I smell it on clothes. . . .  ah, home)

10 on Tuesday

Here's my Ten on Tuesday- pick from the list which one you believe you are.

Who or which do you resemble or identify with more- just pick one:

Anne of Green Gables or Laura Ingalls Wilder?  Laura IngallsWilder

polka dot or stripe?  polka dot

Green or Blue?  green

Ocean or Mountain?  ocean

art or music?  music

dog or cat?  cat

Sarah, Plain and Tall or Anne Elliot?  Sarah, Plain and Tall

scrambled or fried egg?  fried

turkey or chicken?  chicken

Winnie the Pooh, Owl, Piglet, Tigger, or Eeyore?  Tigger

The wonderful thing about tiggers is tiggers are wonderful things! They're tops are made out of rubber- they're bottoms are made out of springs. They're bouncy, trouncy, flouncy, pouncy, Fun! Fun! Fun! Fun! Fun! But the most wonderful thing about tiggers is I'm The Only One!!