Wanna Be a Steader!

OH MY WORD!! I just read one of the best blog posts on the trap of Virtual/Charter schools that I've read in a long time (and didn't write myself! HAHA!!). This came from http://ladyofvirtue.blogspot.com. She is the mother of 14 w/#15 on the way and has homeschooled them all. I HIGHLY recommend her blog - full of wisdom and grace. I'm posting her entry about Virtual/Charter schools below and request that not only YOU read it, but link it to your own blog, or copy/paste it onto your own blog (and give her the credit, of course) and tell everyone you can to read this. It's excellent!

I live in a largely blue-collar town. There are no mansions or super affluent people that make up our community. The families that choose to be "traditional", with the daddy as the breadwinner, struggle. Lots of homeschooling families that I know here have had trouble even affording a computer.

In a community like ours, virtual schooling where the government sends a family a computer, pays for internet use, and supplies all sorts of glossy, colorful curricula and even science and craft supplies, is just too much of a temptation.

When our state first began to offer such programs, I can remember the glowing reports of all of the "goodies" that were sent--it was like Christmas! Everything needed was provided, including scissors and craft paper, and seeds for growing things. Mothers who before had been wringing their hands wondering how they were going to afford the Saxon Math series were now almost care-free.

But there was a catch.

Someone has said that nothing in life is truly "free". With all of the goodies and the ease of knowing someone else was in charge came a large price. Instead of worries over buying supplies and curricula, now the mothers had a heavy burden placed on them every day. They had to coerce and nag and bite their fingernails over getting the work done that was required--a whole boat-load of extra fact-cramming and busy-work that made it almost impossible for anyone to have a good life, especially for the mother who had even 3-4 children on different levels. Instead of having their lives simplified, they were complicated beyond comprehension, and their children were being harmed in the process and turned into drones who hated anything to do with "learning".

The most unfortunate thing of all was that most mothers were convinced that this sort of government-sponsored slavery was what homeschooling was all about! Many who were already feeling overwhelmed about teaching their own children became convinced, after allowing the state to muck with things, that homeschooling was impossible and horrid. So, they gave up.

But learning is not a super-complicated thing that only professionals know how to do!

Our children were born to us completely helpless--they could not even hold their own heads up! Somehow, with our encouragement, they learned to walk and talk and feed themselves. Children, even in some of the most impoverished conditions, learn to do these things, unless they are ill or haven't any food to eat.

Why do children learn these things? Is it because they are constantly nagged, or they have been through the right "programs"? No. Children learn these things because they want to and they need to. The parents are there to facilitate and encourage.

Now here is the secret that those who run teaching colleges and publish curricula and make their living on the supposition of universal idiocy do not want you to know:

TEACHING CHILDREN IS NOT DFFICULT--THEY ALREADY WANT TO LEARN!

I once checked out a magazine published for teachers from the library, thinking I could glean something of value for my own family. An article was written therein about teaching composition to middle-school students. I could not believe the amount of verbage it took--paragraph upon paragraph of evidence and studies and then the methodology that took pages to explain. What a waste!

Writing is just an extension of language, another form of communication. When it is taught in this context, it no longer seems mystical or complex. Good writing is learned by reading the good writing of others--with reading aloud, discussion, and application.

The same goes for the other subjects. Math is a sort of communication, it is the communication of the Creator to His creation--that there is order and care. Science is best described as the "thinking of God's thoughts after Him". The wonder of this planet and the universe is the only catalyst needed. Once the appetite has been whetted, a parent need only to watch a child take off like a rocket-ship (and be willing to enjoy the adventure).

Of course, you can't enjoy the wonderful adventure of discovery with your child if every day is prescribed and written down. The time and energy you would normally have to explore and discover is all taken up by the reading of droll, dumbed-down texts, numerous questions to be answered by rote understanding, canned experiments and the like.

Yes, there are times when a little rote learning can be valuable, but not as an all-encompassing program. The teaching of facts should be likened to handing out tools that a skilled craftsman, the child, can use to create and discover further. Rote learning should never become the end, but the means. We should not be so much concerned with turning out children who can win at Trivial Pursuit as much as we should be concerned with raising children who can take the information in any situation, analyze it, and come up with wise conclusions and solutions.

I do not write theory here; I myself have seen the proven examples, and not just among my own children.

But the public schooling industry, and it is a great part of our economy, does not want you and I to know just how simple teaching and learning really is. Just think of how many meetings and conferences would have to be canceled. Whole political commmitees would have to be disbanded. We would see a lot of educational phd's flipping burgers, and whole educational supply industries woud go belly-up.

Besides all of this, those who desire power over our population would be the saddest of all, because people of America would once again, as in the crazy times of our inception, realize just how many choices they have, and would develop the intestinal fortitude to pursue those choices. I personally believe that it would allow Chrisitanity to return once again as the underlying foundation of our Republic, as parents would be allowed to pass on their Judeo-Christain values in a personal way to the next generation.

But you won't read this in the leaflets sent out to entice you. They will act as your friend, and say how they understand that you feel unsure and intimidated. But they are not friendly. They only wish to use your own fears to convince you that you can not do it on your own.

But, with God's grace and help,

YOU CAN!!!!!!

Attention Stargazers!!

Sky Watch

The planets and the Moon are putting on a show! For a few nights, brilliant Venus, bright Jupiter, and the crescent Moon blaze in a striking conjunction. They first formed their brilliant triangle last night, 15 degrees high, in the southwestern sky. The three celestial objectives will continue to stay close together as seen from Earth even though the planets are millions of miles away.
Read more Sky Watch! We provide the current and upcoming months free for our Almanac.com readers.

6 Things Tag

The Simple Woman's Daybook ~ #11 ~ 12/1/08

The Post-Thanksgiving Lull...

Thanksgiving is over and not only was it a day to be thankful, but I am thankful for how it went. In this cold but sunny day, I am so grateful with how the Lord answered my prayers and calmed some odd family dynamics.

I awoke between 7-7:30a.m. and got a batch of fresh herb bread dough going and then prepared and set the turkey to baking. As my family woke and after they had quick breakfasts of cereal, I set them to working! lol All the last-minute dusting, sweeping and toilet cleaning for my mom's inspection - er, uh - I mean, everyone's comfort and enjoyment!

But we had a great day. Some friends of ours who have to drive past our home to have their Thanksgiving at some relative's who live 1/2 hour past us came and visited us for about an hour. I enjoy talking to friends while I cook, it makes the time go faster and more pleasant. Just after they left, the first of our guests for the rest of the day arrived - a friend of our 2 dd's who has a new baby and our family (and another family from our church) are ministering/mentoring her, and other friend came, too. Just after they arrived, my family - mom, brother and his girlfriend - came. I have to say that - THANKFULLY - my brother was on very good behavior and only one quick little attempt at an opposing politcal comment was made but I told him that I didn't want to have those conversations today and (wow!) that was it. PTL!!

We had so much wonderful food - truly a feast: I made the turkey, the obligatory green bean casserole, salad, homemade herb bread, cheesecake, veggies w/my homemade dill dip (better then store-bought, if I do say so myself! lol), cheese tray and homemade punch. My mom brought the stuffing, cornbread, mashed potatoes w/sour cream, chives and cheese (!), red velvet cake (homemade!), home-grown corn and sweet potatoes, while my brother brought shrimp and cocktail sauce. It seems like I'm missing something, but believe me, we DID NOT lack anything good!

I would also like to tell you all that I am thankful for all of you who take the time to read, to comment and to leave messages and/or e-mail me. I praise the Lord for the miracle of the internet and the fun of blogs that have brought us together and the friendships made. You have made such a precious, comforable nest in my heart.

Days Gone By...

Off and on something comes up about my modeling days and some of you will contact me by message or e-mail and ask about it. I modeled from the time that I was 9 until - literally - days before I married at 25. I also doubled as a make-up artist from 19 to around 32. I know...if you know me now you'd think that was impossible! lol I often say that I'm rebelling as I've given up the suits and 4" heels for jeans and Burkenstocks!

And I'm MUCH happier now!!

This is from my very first portfolio shot in 1969 at age 10. I had done a couple of runway shows before I even had a portfolio. I was with this agency until I was 16.

Different agency. This was from 1977, age 18, taken in Downtown Dayton, Ohio. I always loved location shots and doing commercials. I really enjoyed the switch on a 'formal' look by going w/a tux instead of a long gown. I wish I could find a still of the "Arby's Days"...I used to do local Arby's commercials.

This was a fun headshot taken around 1980, age 21. I actually had a MONSTEROUS stack perm and calmed it down for the day's work!

At this point I was also teaching at this particular agency part-time, working the Clinique counter at a dept. store full-time and trying to have a social life. I made myself sick and was hospitalized shortly after this was taken. That's when my modeling started to take a back seat ... my agency was NOT amused. I wasn't there that much longer and ended up going free-lance, which actually paid more anyway. So it worked out in the end.

Well, there's the show. It certainly seems like looking at a movie of another person's life now, and, in many ways, it is. I wasn't a Christian until I was 23 and the Lord is SO gracious, forgiving and good to me! I went through a broken engagement from an atheist, became a Christian in 1982 and married my wonderful Christian husband in 1984. I am undeserving and grateful!

As a side note...the last time I modeled were the last 2 months before we married, in 1984, in a wedding series that traveled to about 10 different stores. The wedding gown I had picked out for our own wedding happened to be in the show and the coordinators let me wear it in the shows in one of my sets!! My sweet Ty, when he would take me to some of the shows, knew which "bride's maids" walked out before me in the set when I wore my gown and he would lower his head and look at the floor until that set was over so that he wouldn't see me in my gown until I walked down OUR isle. Wasn't that sweet? He said that whenever I walked out in that gown the audience would ooo and ahhh and it was a terrible temptation to look. lol

The Simple Woman's Daybook ~ #10 ~ 11/24/08

Outside my window...Cold, gloomy rain. But it's quiet and comforting all at the same time. Makes home seem all the more cozy and warm.

CHRISTmas Questions Part II

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? YES! lol Usually bags for friends and wrapping for family. Don't know why, it just ends up that way. My FAVORITE wrap is brown paper tied w/twine or raffia w/some sort of CHRISTmas Stampin' Up stamps.

2. Real tree or Artificial? We used to do the real ones, but I pick up quills ALL year, so we have used a fake one for years. Last year, however, we got the most wonderful tree!! It's very rustic - just the way I like it - it has just a touch of "snow" (so it doesn't look 'cheap') and pine cones and we put only vintage and rustic ornaments on it. LOVE IT! I hate to take it down!

3. When do you put up the tree? If not the day after Thanksgiving, then the weekend following.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Hmmm...my Barbie Dream House. I'm old enough that it was the second edition, still cardboard, but it was WAY cool!!

7. Hardest person to buy for? My mom. She's very well off and has 2 of everything.

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes; it's the one my family has had since I was about 3 years old and is starting to fall apart. I'd like to get replacement Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus and a few animals from the company that does the wooden angels for all occasions (shoot, can't think of the name). While I'm at it ... I CAN'T STAND to see the wise men in a nativity scene!! They didn't find Jesus until He was 2 years old, for Pete's sake...so put them waaaaay over on the other side of the house that they can make a journey of it!

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Both. If I have your e-mail address, you'll probably get an e-mail; family and friends w/o e-mail get cards.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? OK...I'm serious here...no joke...My dear grandma was a very frugal gal, having lived through the Depression she was always thinking of USEFUL things to give. The first CHRISTmas we were married she gave us a can of Crisco w/a bow on top!! lol

17. Favorite Christmas song? O Holy Night and I Wonder as I Wander. I have a really beautiful arrangement of 'I Wonder...' that I worked out on my hammered dulcimer.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? We have our OWN family CHRISTmas on CHRISTmas Eve morning - when the girls were little we were always rushing all over the place and we weren't making OUR OWN memories and they couldn't enjoy their news clothes or toys. So, when our oldest was about 5 we started our own tradition on the day before.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year. The emphasis on Santa and stores putting up CHRISTmas - eh hem - I mean 'holiday' decorations BEFORE halloween!!

CHRISTmas Memories

The holidays are near so I want to know...

1.
Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?
Hot chocolate!

2.
Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?
Nope, never did the Santa-thing. Jesus supplies the gifts – that’s what we’ve always told them.

3.
Colored lights on tree/house or white?
White

4.
Do you hang mistletoe?
yes

5.
When do you put your decorations up?
always right after Thanksgiving :)

6.
What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?
My mom’s stuffing.

7.
Favorite holiday memory as a child:
When I was about 11, I couldn’t sleep one Christmas Eve night and I had my radio on. It was about 2a.m. and Nat King Cole’s “Chestnuts Roasting” came on while huge, fluffy snowflakes floated down outside my windows. Ahhhh.

8.
When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
2^nd or 3^rd grade.
9.
Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
Yes. So that OUR family can make our own Christmas memories, we open our own presents on Christmas Eve morning so that it’s not interrupted by having to leave to go to someone’s house.

10.
How do you decorate your Christmas Tree?
We got a new Christmas tree last year that is very real-looking w/just a little ‘snow’ and pinecones on it. We put away many of our more trendy ornaments for the girls to have one of these days and now only use the more vintage and backwoods-looking ornaments. It’s very rustic and I LOVE IT!!
11.
Snow! Love it or Dread it?
I love snow...especially when I’m inside looking out!

12.
Can you ice skate?
That’s up for interpretation…I’ve roller skated all my life and only ice skated once.

Christmas of 1998, Ty got me my hammered dulcimer!!

14.
What is the most important thing about the Holidays for you?
Remembering God's gift to us in His Son Jesus and having my family all together for Christmas.

15.
What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?
Pumpkin pie and red velvet cake.

16.
What is your favorite holiday tradition?
The big family meal – everyone together and happy.

17.
What tops your tree?
A rustic star

18.
Which do you prefer giving or receiving?
Definitely giving

19.
What is your favorite Christmas Song?
O Holy Night and I Wonder as I Wander

21.
What do you want for Christmas?
A digital camera

22.
Do you attend an annual Christmas Party?
Ty’s work and – if can call it a party – our annual Christmas Eve service.

When I was little we dressed up for the meal. Now we just wear ‘nice’ jeans and maybe a ‘dress’ blouse/shirt or sweater.

25.
Who do you normally spend Christmas with?
Our family ~~ Christmas Eve day is for our own family; the weekend before Christmas day is w/Ty’s side of the family, Christmas Day is usually w/my side of the family.

Garden Jobs by the Month

I really enjoy my Old Farmer's Almanac newsletter and I have learned so much from it. Today's newsletter offered and link to "Gardening Jobs by the Month," which is of interest to me as a novice gardener. So many of those of you that I've spoken to lately are considering either planting a kitchen garden next year or expanding the one you already keep, so I thought you might benfit from this information, too. Here's the link:

Abe Lincoln, Thanksgiving and Divine Intervention

Here's something I found and thought it would be a great lesson for our children with Thanksgiving coming... {KW<><}...

In the White House, Abe Lincoln was pacing the floor of his office. He felt more troubeld than he had ever felt before. The fate of the Union was at stake. He felt as if he were almost alone in his concern for the outcome. Friends and aides appeared to be almost panic-stricken. Abe felt that this was the most critical hour of the [Civil] war, perhaps the most critical hour in the entire history of the United States.

In desperation he left his office, went into this room and locked the door. There he fell before a chair. With his head in his hands, he wept and prayed.

Now, more than at any other time in his life he turned to God. In deep anguish he told God that he had done all he could. He pleaded for help. There was nothing more that he could do. He must leave the result of the battle in the hands of God. He now knew that if his country was to be saved, it would be only because God willed it.

When he unlocked the door and came out of his room he felt that a great burden had suddenly been rolled off his shoulders. His intense anxiety and torturing concern had been relieved. He felt a quiet and calm trustfullness...

On his desk was a copy of the Thanksgiving Proclamation. He had proclaimed the last Thursday in November as a day of national Thanksgiving. The nation had never before had such an annual Thanksgiving Day and he had decided that it was time the nation remembered in a special day what God had done.

We have been the recipients of the choistest bounties of heaven; we have grown in numbers, wealth, and power as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God.

We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace, and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own.

We have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us.

Tears slipped down his cheeks as he read these words, for he believed in them deeply. It was because of this belief that he ordered the Treasury Department to engrave the words, In God We Trust, on American coins.

As he was sitting at his desk, thinking about these things, an aide rushed in and excitedly exclaimed, "There's good news from the battle at Gettysburg, Sir..."

But in spite of this great victory, his days were filled, dealing with generals, listening to the problems of many citizens, and handling endless administrative details. For help he turned to God through the Bible and in prayer.

Almost daily now, he felt the need to go to his room to pray. More and more, he became conscious of the work of God in the affairs of men.

I believe we are all agents and instruments of Divine Providence. I hold myself in my present position and with the authority invested in me, as an instrument of Providence. I am conscious every moment that all I am and all that I have are subject to the control of a higher power, and that power can use me or not use me in any manner and at any time as in His wisdom might be pleasing to Him.

One day, Mr. Chittenden, the register of the Treasury, asked him if he believed that God actually directed national affairs. With a deep feeling of emotion, he replied,

The the Almighty does make use of human agencies, and directly intervenes in human affairs, is one of the plainest statements of the Bible...I have many evidences of His direction, many instances when I have been controlled by some other power than my own will, that I cannont doubt that this power comes from above.

The Simple Woman's Daybook ~ #9 ~ 11/18/08

For Today...

Outside my window...beautiful sunshine shining on a very thin layer of snow. Sparkling like glitter on the roofs of the house and out-buildings. It's been a few days since the morning has begun with sunshine.

I am thinking...how silly I was to have forgotten to do my Daybook yesterday!

Don't You Just Love the Little Things?

Today started out so gloomy and cold as the rain brought in such frigid temperatures. But I needed to go out to my favorite Old Order German Baptist farm dairy this morning to get some more whole milk and brown eggs. Even on gloomy days, that little trip brings a smile to me face. It's a nice 15-20 minute drive and I had my sweet little dog, Maggie, w/me and I put my CD of the music from PBS's "Frontier House" in the player and we were off.

There was some sort of 'big doin's' at the Old Order meeting house this morning b/c I passed no fewer than 11 horses and buggies on my errand. That's always such a wonderful sight.

When I got home, I fixed dh's favorite Saturday morning breakfast, Amish French Toast (http://www.homesteadblogger.com/wannabeone/105269/) and don't you know that 2 (TWO!!) of the eggs I cracked open had double yokes!!

Then, about an hour later, the weather got cold enough that our rain turned to giant, fluffy snowflakes for about 2-1/2 hours. What a lovely sight on a dark, quiet (except for the Ohio State Buckeye football game!

) Saturday.

The Simple Women's Daybook ~ #8 ~ 11/10/08

Outside my window...Grey and cold. It started out in the 20's but we are now in the 30's. Indian Summer is over.

Intensive Courses at Thomas Bilney Theological Seminary Offered to Homeschoolers!!

As many of you know, I attend the Thomas Bilney Theological Seminary, where I just received my Assoiciate's Degree in Biblical Studies in September (http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Buckeyeblog/589967/ the series I just posted - The Biblical Basis for Homeschooling Christian Children - is actually my Associate's thesis!). If you live in the Dayton, Ohio/Miami Valley area of Ohio, I urge you look into the up-coming classes. The BEST PART is that since the Dean is my pastor (Rev. Joe Getts), I have arranged for Senior High level homeschoolers to be able to take these INTENSIVE courses, too!! For the homeschool students, once a course is completed and graded they will receive a Seminarian Certificate WHICH WILL BE TRANFERRED INTO CREDITS ONCE THEY HAVE GRADUATED FROM THEIR HOMESCHOOL!! Awesome!! So you and your high schooler can take courses together!

These are INTENSIVE courses. What INTENSIVE means is that, depending on the class, you will basically get one quarter's-worth of infomation in anywhere from 1 to 3 days - depending upon the subject/class. It's basically the same as what some of the college-at-home schools call "fast track." I have listed up-coming classes in the past, but it's been a while since I've explained how this particular Seminary works, so I thought I would do it again...

There are 4 Degree Programs: 1) Seminarian Certificates, 2) Associate Degrees, 3) Baccaaureate Degrees (Bachelor), & 4) Master's Degrees. There are 5 Degree Disciplines: 1) Biblical Studies (CSS), 2)Theological Studies (TDS), 3) Interdisciplinary Sudies (IDS), 4) Christian History (CHS) & 5) Pastoral Ministries (PMS). The classes or numerous and can take a look at some of those on the website (www.thomasbilney.org). All classes are available in person (for which you earn more credits), in book/CD form and SOME may be completed on-line. Also, no matter which Discipline you choose, you may take ANY course in ANY Discipline!

Now to the meat of this post...Here are some up-coming courses you may be interested in - I'll be there! ...

If you have any questions, just let me know. OR go to the website and contact Rev. Joe Getts on the e-mail given.

Signs of Winter from The Old Farmer's Almanac

From The Old Farmer's Almanc...I thought this was interesting and something we can use for our homeschools or just for our own interest...KW<><

Few things concern the gardener more than the first warning signs of winter. At The Old Farmer’s Almanac, we employ scientific disciplines to predict the weather but also believe in keeping a close eye on nature. The following are all considered traditional signs of a severe winter ahead:

The Silver Lining in a Sad Day...

Well, I don't know about you - and I don't want to offend anyone's politics - but I am SO SAD over what happened to our country last night. Never in my lifetime did I ever think that I would live to see a Socialist/Marxist voted into the office of the President of the United States. My grandpa fought in WWI to defeat people like this; my uncle and my dad fought in WWII to defeat people like this. How sad they would be today.

HOWEVER...I DO know that GOD is still on His throne! Whatever judgement we must go through, we can do all through Christ Who strengthens us.

But here is a bright spot in my day - my youngest dd, who is a Senior in our homeschool this year - handed me this impromptu essay that she's going to put on her My Space...

Yesterday a man was elected President of the United States. Someone I fear. Someone who approves of abortion, someone who approves of gay marriages and someone who is a Socialist and his name is Barack Obama. I am starting to wonder what has happened to our country. I have a couple of things I would like to say to you all today and I felt like I needed to share them with you. I watched a movie today called "The Patriot," and if you haven't seen it yet, or you have seen it and it's just been a long time, then I encourage you to watch it. Now, granted, the fact that the story of a man named Benjamin Martin (character played by Mel Gibson) and his family's story may not be true; but what they did to his family in the movie, those kinds of things did happen to other families back then; and they probably did things to those people that we wouldn't even want to see on screen. The main thing that I want you all to realize is that they won the Revolutionary War because they didn't take God out of the center of that war. We have taken God so much out of politics that it's sickening. People like George Washington and Abraham Lincoln would be rolling over in their graves over our nation right now. Those two men made a difference in our country because they kept their faith in God! So I ask you now...What has happened to our nation? We take God out of our nation more and more, and let me tell you something, if you take God out of our nation there is not going to BE a nation. I want to go back to that movie, "The Patriot," for just a little bit. That main character, Benjamin Martin, lost so much. But we see him hold on to his unfailing faith. He always knew that God was with him. What a great testimony for those who are struggling. But where has faith like that gone in our nation? We all take so lightly the purpose of voting or just being here in America period! I read an article about what some women went through just to have the right to vote. They were arrested for wanting just to vote! Listen to these true stories..."Lucy Burns was beaten until she could no longer stand. She was chained with her hands above her head to cell bars and was left there hanging and gasping for air...Dora Lewis was hurled into a dark cell, smashed her head into an iron bed and knocked her out cold. Her cellmate, Alice Cosu, thought Lewis was dead and suffered a heart attack. Additional affidavits describe the guards grabbing, dragging, beating, choking, slamming, pinching, twisting and kicking the women." This was called the "Night of Terror" on Nov. 15, 1917. Nobody acts like they even remember what happened at 9/11 anymore. I even forgot about it this year...how sad is that?! God gave us a second chance to change the world on 9/11. There has been so many opportunities for our nation to come together but we haven't taken them. God wants us to witness to the world and how can we do that if our own nation is starting to fall apart with gangs and racial issues?! I think these people would be disappointed in our choices and our actions. I know some of you out there didn't even vote and that always disappoints me when someone doesn't vote. Because the people before us worked so hard to be able to let you all vote and we take it for granted. People want to take God out of public schools completely and that is just not right. I will be praying for our country and our troops. We need to remember that God is and always will be he center of our nation. Not the President and/or Senators. This is God's nation!

Last night, after the 11p.m. (est) announcement that Obama had officially crossed the 270 electoral votes, this dd came down and said, "Mommy, I think we need to pray now!" I am so proud of my girls, but - as I'm sure you know - there are those moments that just make your heart nearly burst from love. This was one of them for me.

The Simple Woman's Daybook ~ #7 ~ 11/3/08

For Today...

Outside my Window...Lovely sun-shiny day. A little too warm because of a blast of Indiana Summer, but cool and crisp is on the way.

I am thinking...What a good time I had w/my brother and his girlfriend. We made the rounds to my favorite German Baptist and Old Order German Baptist grocery store, bulk food store and farm for brown eggs and whole milk.

From the learning rooms...Jenna is getting back into the swing of a full school load after being in Erie, PA w/her wonderful Daddy for her last volleyball tournament. She came back w/a cold, so things are going a little slow.

I am thankful for...the FACT that God is STILL on the Throne!!

From the kitchen...This afternoon was chicken and rice soup. Tonight will be salisbury steak w/noodles.

I am wearing...jeans and one of my favorite Lakeside hoodies (I have a bunch of them...can you tell? lol I get one every year).

I am reading...My Bible; "Pride & Prejudice"...AGAIN!

I am hoping...that our young friend who had a baby on Saturday will be blessed of the Lord because of the repentance of her heart b/c of the mistake she made. That she will continue on in her walk w/the Lord and raise this sweet baby in His ways. I really think she will.

I am creating...Herb mixes and some more glycerin soap. I didn't get to make as much as I wanted a couple of weeks ago.

I am hearing...the radio and the jingle-jangle of Maggie's dog tags as she prances through the house.

Around the house...Hoping that Jenna's cold doesn't get any worse.

One of my favorite things...Seeing a red-tailed hawk perched upon a fence-post or a telephone pole and thanking the Lord for putting it there just for me to see.

A Wonderful Tribute to a Husband

A friend of mine (who I "met" on Homesteadblogger.com and then discovered that we only live a few miles from each other!) wrote the most beautiful tribute to her husband. I see my wonderful husband in so much of what she said, I'm sure you will recognize yours, too. Enjoy.

A VERY Brave Man ~ Worth Seeing...

Even though I am a very political person, I have tried to keep my blogs UNpolitical. But sometimes someone comes to your attention that you just HAVE to share w/others. PLEASE click on the link below and listen to what this incredibly brave man has to say.