Friday, February 26, 2010

Happy Friday...

I awoke with a much brighter attitude today! This has been a hectic week and we have been off schedule and I realized that my Bible time has gone by the wayside...I miss it...today I'll get to it for sure.

Dennis woke up and shoveled the drive this morning...he is on his way to pick up Brittany and do my mom's driveway...we want to get her home before our roads get too deep...because they won't get to them for a few days. (Typical) Even though we live in the city limits...I know, it puzzles me.

Brittany is coming home sick...she can barely talk...bad sore throat, so her daddy is going to stop and buy some Tylenol Sore throat medication on the way home.

I think I am going to have a picnic today...we are so tired of snow and freezing and more snow...that I am going to make bratz...potato salad...and baked beans. Perhaps I can find a summertime classic on netflix for us to watch as we are eating our picnic in the living room...I think perhaps I'll spread a quilt on the floor and we are just going to forget about what is happening outside and pretend there are ants everywhere and warm sunshine on our faces.




Wishing you all a HAPPY Friday!

Joyce Marie

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Tea Talk


I am having...

An icy cold glass of vitamin C...good, old fashioned Orange Juice!


I am feeling...

Anxious and a bit stressed...for the first time since my dad died...my mom is a bit afraid in her home. I am missing Brittany who has gone to stay with her for a few days. I need to get to get to the grocery store because we are in a winter storm warning tonight through tomorrow.

On my mind...

That I need to not have fear in matters of the heart. That God will take care of my mother...I need to remember that fear is not from God...and Fear means...FALSE evidence appearing real!



"Be strong. Take courage. Don't be intimidated. Don't give them a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you. He's right there with you. He won't let you down; he won't leave you. "
Deuteronomy 31:6


Thank you Ruth for hosting this wonderful Tea Time...a break right in the middle of my day that I look forward to. Even though I didn't have tea today...maybe I should have a calming tea after all...Please join us for friendship and Tea Time at Celebrate Friendship...we'd love to see you there.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Our week so far...

Hello there Ladies, all is well, my muscle spasm turned out to be just that. I stayed active and kept on moving through it. I have to admit...sitting for long periods does aggravate it so I try not sit for too long at a time. I am praising the Lord that it wasn't as bad as before.

Our weather this week is the in between stuff that we usually get in March...freezing drizzle one day, snow flurries the next. Our yard is still covered but we are probably down to six inches now...the snow is old and dirty looking...my little dogs can walk on top of it...LOL. We had to laugh at them yesterday trying to figure out how to do their business.

My husband passed another one of his exams on Monday...not to brag but he got a perfect score! We are so proud of him...of course we are. He works so hard to keep a roof over our heads and clothes on our back and food on our table. He has been home for weeks and we are getting really comfortable with this new routine...and his commute from work can't be beat...he just closes his office door and comes down the stairs. He has another exam on Friday...and then one final one for now to study for...

My mom was sick with a bad sore throat over the weekend. She left her garage door open Saturday night and didn't realize it until my brother went over on Sunday...they looked to see if anything was missing...nothing stood out but on Monday...she went out to sweep some salt from the garage floor and realized that her snow blower was gone. Do you believe it? Someone drove by...saw her garage door open and took her snow blower! I felt so bad for her...she was so upset all day...so we all talked to her off an on all day...she is feeling better now and happy that they didn't steal her brand new mower.

Brittany and I couldn't concentrate on school with all this happening on Monday...and then Monday evening I decided that we would do a little "Homeschool housekeeping" this week. I have been putting off for the last three years the dreaded transcript. I don't know why but this has felt like jumping off a huge cliff to me. We took our last three portfolio's off the shelf and looked through them...my how fun it was to look over the last three years. We have much to print off for this year. But we'll start that in a few weeks. We had our books so organized that it wasn't hard at all to come up with her credits. I was really quite surprised...to be honest. So then, I just had to give final grades to all her subjects. Actually, this was easier than I had thought and I wouldn't have had the confidence with out my friend Debbie...who answered all my questions throughout the day...Thanks Debbie! I took in to account the difficulty of the subject and whether she got through it with a good attitude or a "do I have to do science?" attitude. She was fine with it...she struggled through science...neither one of us are "scientific"...we would both just be happy taking a nature walk. So...last night I sat down to create our Transcript. I'll post links that I found within the next couple of days (which will save you future foot work)...I really didn't want to have to reinvent the wheel. And...figuring the GPA was hard...or maybe by that time my brain was just fried...so I found a system that worked for me and I am now in the process of putting together her transcript. I can't believe how afraid of this I was. The one thing that both of us realized...she had many more credits...we have really worked hard these last four years.

Hmmm...There you have it...the last few days in a nutshell...exciting isn't it? Laundry is calling my name, so I better get to it.

Blessings,
Joyce Marie

Friday, February 19, 2010

Taking a bit of a break...

Two years ago in January I bent over my bathtub to rinse it out after taking a nice relaxing, hot bath and could not stand back up. That's right. I could barely stand for the next two weeks without my right leg wanting to give out on me. Good old Sciatica.

Since then...I have occasional flare-ups...mainly when walking for long periods of time on hard surfaces like say cement or asphalt. But I have been pretty happy all winter because I have fared pretty well. Not so since yesterday morning. I was putting some delicious whipped, cream cheese on my freshly toasted cinnamon/sugar bagel. I didn't do anything but that and I felt that all familiar twinge. An electric shock in that lower right of my back. We made it through school, I took some 8 hour Tylenol and spent the rest of the afternoon flat on my back on the floor with my legs lifted on our foot stool. (Really good for lower back pain) I recovered nicely until the Tylenol wore off...back on the floor for the evening...my husband "cooked dinner" ran out to get us chicken and coleslaw from our favorite pizza establishment. Got up to go to bed a few hours later and could barely walk...I at this point began to wonder...if I was going to be ok...in the middle of the night...I was awakened by a muscle that felt like it it was stabbing me from the bottom of my right...well...cheek above the back of my thigh (I am sorry if this it too much information, but if you have had sciatica then you will know). I seriously felt like I was being stabbed from the inside out. I had to rub the area to make sure that I wasn't.

I woke up this morning...and have felt better...but it is quite touchy so I am being careful to not be in one place too long. To vary my position...sometimes the floor sometimes just walking around my house...sometimes sitting in a straight chair until I can get this muscle spasm to settle back down.

So...if I am not on here for a couple of days...you'll know that I have not flown the coop...just taking a little wellness break.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!
Joyce Marie

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Simple Joys

Isn't it fun when our children are happy? Brittany finished teaching last night and could hardly wait to get in the car and call me to tell me how amazing it was . I had to rejoice with her at the sound of her voice as this is all she has ever wanted to be...a dance teacher. From the first moment that she began her first tap class 11 years ago.

She used to pretend in our basement that she was holding ballet classes for a classroom of children. I remember hearing her from the kitchen correcting her pretend students. She would mimic her own dance teachers perfectly. It used to tickle me so...

After many years and hours of dance class and dance competitions...she has never, ever changed her mind as to what she wanted to do after graduation.(Despite the ideas that we dangled in front of her) This past year...in the spring she made a disheartening decision to leave the performing arts center where she had been taking class and assistant teaching for the last five years. It was a hard decision...but in her heart she knew that it was time for her to move on.

After a long summer of second guessing herself and almost deciding to take a year off from dancing (her knees were pretty banged up) I asked her one day where she wanted to go. Out of the blue she mentioned this particular dance studio. I still have no idea where she came up with the name but we keyed in the words and found that yes, indeed it was a ten minute drive from home...having the need to give her knees a break this year she decided to just take a couple of classes a week. Within the first month...she was asked to assist...now she is on the substitute teacher list. Her confirmation that the hard decision that she made was the right one...I know that God was placing her right where He wanted her to be.

This brings me to current. Forgive me as I am having one of those mommy moments...but what a blessing to watch her grow into this young woman whom God is blessing. She taught Pointe class last night all evening...she was so excited...she just talked and talked. For her...the simpleness of just looking around at a room full of girls, following her direction...is indescribable...it makes her heart sing.

As we get closer to graduation...I am beginning to see that she is growing up and that God is leading her into her future.

I am just in Awe of our Amazing God!


"This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."
Psalm 118:24


Joyce Marie

In my Kitchen today...Homemade Bagels!

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Play days?

Have you ever had one of those days when you just want to play? I have had one of them today. We began our day with our Bible study and then our Bible reading...I did a load of laundry and made some lunch...other than that, I have just wanted to play hooky from the same old same old and just do nothing. Brittany and I did play a video game together. Maybe it is all the snow and coldness that made me just want to have a snow day. Whatever the reason...I allowed myself a goof-off day...tomorrow is back to work.

Friday night Brittany was called by the Dance Studio owner and asked if she could substitute teach for Saturday morning classes...my girl jumped at the chance and thoroughly enjoyed herself. Then this afternoon she was asked to sub for the ballet classes tonight...she was upstairs and ready to go in five minutes (you have know idea how this makes her heart sing)...my dear sweetheart drove her. He kept asking me if I wanted to go with him...but I declined as I am satisfied being a hermit in my warm and cozy house today. Every single time I look at the temperature here whether in the car or house lately it seems to read the same 27 degrees. I can't figure it out. Maybe it is stuck?

Wishing you all a warm and snug- glee evening!
Joyce Marie

Monday, February 15, 2010

Simple and Sweet

was our Valentine weekend. We started off Saturday doing those little mundane tasks that all of us have to do from time to time. Sunday night is our "nacho night". My honey makes them every single Sunday night...and we were on the hunt for fresh Avocado's...so off we went to a specialty market as the grocery stores here had none. The market didn't either but they are known for their "killer brownie" . I have lived here all my life and didn't know that so we bought three for dessert Saturday evening. They were thick and gooey and packed full of stuff. It was quite enjoyable I must say.

After leaving the market we went to PF Chang's for dinner. We had a great meal. We started off with their Crispy Green Beans (which I truly believe are becoming my most favorite thing ever). Brittany and I had the same dish while my sweetheart had something different. It was just excellent. We had our dessert at home later.

I have been doing this new thing lately...waking up before dawn...I mean like 4 or 5 AM with my mind thinking all types of things...all kinds of ideas...it really is beginning to drive me crazy. So I just lie there and pray and hope that I can get another hour or two of sleep. Brittany told me maybe I need to get up and write...but who wants to get up at that time of day when it is so cold in the house and outside. Not me...but I told her that I would try it next time...we'll see. Wide awake at 4 on Sunday morning I got to thinking of my husband and one of the favorite things he has talked about over the years about his grandmother. One of his favorite treats as a kid where her Fried Apple Pies...I scoured the internet on Sunday morning and came up with a recipe from some grandma out there somewhere...I thought to myself...it has to be close so I managed to whip up a batch while he was upstairs studying Sunday afternoon. It was his simple and sweet Valentine treat. I carried it up to him with a little glass of milk and I have to say...I left him speechless. I think he was in disbelief. Later he told me he would never forget what I did for him...it was my pleasure and worth every single minute. I am just glad I could pull off the surprise.

That is about it...I think we'll just do our Bible for today and take the rest of the day off for school today since all the schools are closed anyway. I have bills to pay and bread to bake and dinner to plan anyway. It'll give me some time to do what I want to do...and Brittany doesn't have dance tonight which is fine with me (means we get to stay home)...I am beginning to feel like we live on the frozen Tundra. It is 3 degrees this morning and guess what? We are getting more snow today into tomorrow...another 3-6 inches. I fear we will be in this deep freeze forever!

In my kitchen...you'll find the recipe for Fried Apple Pie.

Blessings!
Joyce Marie

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Outside my Window

The snow finally settled enough so that the critters can come back out...I walked into my living room yesterday and there he was nibbling on safflower seeds that had fell to the ground when my husband refilled the bird feeder. He just about disappears when when he digs for more seed.

Happy Saturday everyone!
Joyce Marie

Check out what is going on in my kitchen today...

Friday, February 12, 2010

A Tag...for my friend Katia :)

Tag
Getting to know you...


Your Name

Joyce Marie

What does it mean?
Joyce - Joy
Marie - Sea of sorrow
(I am not sure these two go together)

Your Birthday
November 15

Your Eye Color
Brown

Your Hair Color
I believe they call it...Dishwater Brown...UGH!

How long have you been blogging?
Gee, I started on HSB about 4 years ago...just moved to Blogger in November.

~Favorite Things~

Movie
My Big Fat Greek Wedding

TV Show
24

Book
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

Authors
Francine Rivers, Lori Wick, Traci Peterson, Terri Blackstock
(just to name a few)

Music Group or Singer
Casting Crowns, Chris Tomlin, Hillsong
Carrie Underwood, Darius Rucker

Song
Amazing Grace by Chris Tomlin (I love it)

Type of music
All types from Classical to Christian to Country to our own family songs that we make up...we are very musical. :)

Instrument
Mandolin, Fiddle, Piano

Fast Food
definitely Taco Bell

Dessert
Creme Brulee

Place to Travel
Florida/Texas/Arizona

Subject in School
English

Football Team
Cleveland Browns (someday, they'll do good, we keep hoping)

Sport to play
I hate sports!
does riding my bike count?

Sport to watch
not a big sports fan...we like to watch if our team is in the playoffs.

Fruit
easy! Strawberries

Vegetable
Green Beans

Meal
Chicken Marsala
(Carrabbas)


Thanks Katia...this was fun!



the Grand opening...

of a brand new ministry magazine for girls. This magazine was born in the heart of my Brittany...she began it first on Shoutlife (a social network for Christians). It wasn't long before some of her closest friends wanted to also participate, we began to see just how BIG God is...so she has been working diligently to create a website to host the magazine...it has taken her hours upon hours and is now ready for viewing.

I'd like to invite you to take a tour of her website and check back often. It is a big job to start up but it is moving along nicely. She will also take article submissions...so if you have girls that like to write anything from poetry to stories to devotions they can contact Brittany through the contact page. She is determined to make this a safe place for girls to hang out...with room for expansion as the Lord leads.

I'll post the side bar here...you can pick up the code for it if you want to advertise it on your or your daughter's blogs on the "contact us" page of the magazine.

Enjoy!
Also...since I left Facebook Brittany has been missing me "online" so she has decided to blog along with me...you can visit her sweet blog here...The Magic of Ordinary Days

Wishing you all a beautiful Friday...
Joyce Marie

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Brittany's Graduation assignment part one...her testimony

I cannot begin to describe how incredible God’s glory is. His hand has guided me through difficult times and sheltered me from damaging situations. He has loved me when I felt unlovable and comforted me when I was afflicted.

I grew up in a Christian family. I remember Sunday mornings walking into church, meeting my grandparents with warm Sunday hugs. I remember Sunday school, singing in the children’s choir, acting in my church’s Christmas play, pioneer girls, and cubby bears. I remember memorizing the books of the bible with a cheerful song, and learning about why Jesus died on the cross. I remember all that and a lot more, yet I never truly understood the wonders of Christ until this past year.

I accepted Jesus into my heart when I was 5. My parents had been talking to me about accepting Jesus for a while. They explained everything in great detail as I asked questions. They took their time, making sure I fully understood the concept of it all. They wanted me to feel it in my heart before I made the decision to accept Him. One night while we were driving, my parents pulled into an empty parking lot. Confused, I asked them what was going on. They pulled me into the front seat and asked me if I was ready. I admitted that I was. That night, Jesus took over my life. He entered into my little heart and changed my life forever. In that empty parking lot, I made a promise to God that I would forever serve Him. I gave him my life, in return for his love and guidance. Although I had yet to develop reverence, I knew how important my prayer was and I meant it with my whole heart. Two years later, I was baptized. My pastor gave me a little book filled with coloring pages and lessons which taught me what baptism meant. I signed the dotted line which confirmed that I understood everything I was about to do. Soon after, I was dedicated to God in a cold pool of water.

Years passed by. My schooling stayed God focused, but the rest of the world seemed to change. I started to realize how easily the world rejected God. To say you’re a Christian makes you a bulls eye for ridicule and critical observation. No one ever looks at you the same way. Satin brainwashes people into thinking that we are all goody two shoes. He tells them that Christians think they’re better than everyone else.
I have witnessed these acts of treason against God, which made me scared to admit my faith. I was afraid of what people would say. I didn’t want to hear them mock God. Most of all, I was afraid of not being accepted.
I had stopped going to church as frequently, due to my crazy dance schedule. I didn’t even have time to go to youth group. I found myself being secretive of my faith. I wouldn’t talk about it to anyone accept my family or other Christians. Day by day, I sank deeper into the lifestyle that was accepted by the world. Morphing myself into another unoriginal copy, I forced myself to like things just because my “friends” did. The harder I tried to fit in, the more I seemed to stand out. I noticed how different I was from everyone else. Unlike my peers, I was close to my parents. I spent more time with them then I did my friends. I was homeschooled, which was absurd to some people. I was frequently asked “How are you going to get a boyfriend?” and “What about prom?”. I grew exhausted of people pulling me down. All I wanted was to have friends that accepted me.
It took years for me to understand that God made me different for a reason. I started to realize that as Christians, we’re supposed to stand out. We’re supposed to live life differently than the rest of the world. Even then, I had a hard time being myself.

When I was 12, my Pap was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. At first, we were optimistic. We had every reason to believe he was going to be alright, but as the days went by, the hope faded. We had to face the reality of the situation. I pleaded with God not to take my Pappy away from me. Large groups of friends and family were praying for him to get better, but a year and a half after the diagnosis, God called my Pappy to heaven. Satin got into my head and told me that God didn’t listen to me. He didn’t listen to all the prayers. I tried hard to be strong, but I ended up blaming God for the whole ordeal. I blamed Him for making my Pap sick. I blamed Him for taking my Pappy away from me. Satin fed me lies about how God disabled my Pap from being at my graduation, wedding, and all the other milestones. How could the God of all creation do that to me? My faith took a nosedive. I still believed in Christ with all my heart, but my faith in Him was gone. I doubted Him. I was afraid to give him my life again. I put up walls to block Him out, I felt like I needed to guard myself. I walked through my life day by day feeling dead inside. Unfortunately, things got worse before they got better. A chain of events pushed me into a deep place where I felt only satin could reach me. I hated it. I would have given anything just to be happy again. I felt like I was at my lowest low.
One day, I decided to listen to a Christian all-girl band on my iPod that I hadn’t listened to for a while. I thought maybe the music’s good message would make me feel better. As I turned on the music, my heart tingled with emotion. Every song touched my heart causing unstoppable tears. God was speaking to my heart, and I felt it. That week, I decided to check out youthgroups. I researched different churches, but I decided to stay at my own. I was nervous. I had blocked God away for so long I didn’t know how I could let him back in. As I walked through the doors I was comforted by my youth pastor’s wife. She introduced herself to me and told me about the retreat they were going on that weekend. I came home completely uplifted and asked my parents if I could go on the retreat. They told me that I could, so I signed myself up and was ready to go.
We met that Saturday at our youth group building. I met tons of girls before we even boarded the buses. We arrived at Camp Carl where we found our cabins and met our roomies. There was a camp fire, hay ride, and lots of pizza. After all the fun, we sat down and had a long service. I listened and watched as people gave their testimonies and I was touched by their honesty. I was in complete awe of the faith the people who surrounded me had. I wanted to be fearless because I trusted God, I wanted to stop feeling so fragile. That weekend, I renewed my vows with Christ. This time, I knew more about the depths of His glory.
When I came home and returned to regular life, I tried my hardest to live a Godly life. My mom and I were doing an amazing devotional for school, which helped me to sort through all my baggage. One day, our devotional told us to look up a verse in Exodus. I volunteered and opened my Bible. I turned to Exodus 14 and scanned the verses, then read Exodus 14:14

“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

I remember being completely shocked. This verse was perfect for the situations I was going through. It spoke to me in a loud volume. When I looked back to my devotional book, I realized that I had read the wrong verse. God had given me that verse at a time when I needed reassurance. My life was on the right track again, and it felt good.
I’m now living my life with more faith than I could have ever imagined having. I don’t worry about things because I know God will take care of me. I’m so amazed at the difference God has made in my life. He picked me up and spun me around, putting me on a new path.
A few months ago, I created an online ministry. I felt a tug on my heart to reach out to preteen, teen, and young adult girls. This time last year, I would have never created a ministry. It didn’t interest me at all. Amazingly, I got great feedback and a better understanding of God’s word. Some of my close friends even asked me if they could join and help out. Today, my life revolves around helping others live Godly lifestyles. I’m following God’s lead and I’m proud of my it. I’m not afraid to say I’m a Christian anymore. I’ve learned that God is all that matters. If people don’t accept me because of my faith, then their friendship isn't worth having. My best friend, Jesus Christ, accepts me and that’s more than I could ever ask for. God’s grace is beautiful in my life. I cannot wait to see where it takes me.

My heart sang as I read these words directly from her heart. I feel so unbelievably blessed to have had the honor to be with my little girl as she has grown through all the stages of life and is now figuring things out for herself. I couldn't think of a greater blessing, as her mommy than to know that our child has seen for herself the amazing love of our Heavenly Father.

Joyce Marie

I am having...Black Cherry Berry tea from Celestial Seasonings. I love the deep red color of this tea. I have a bit of sugar in my tea and my mug is a creamy ivory color from my everyday dishes.

I am feeling...Just fine this morning...how are you?

On my mind...God's great love for me.


Day and night I'll stick with God; I've got a good thing going and I'm not letting go. I'm happy from the inside out, and from the outside in, I'm firmly formed.
Psalm 16:8-9 (The Message)


Thank you Ruth for another lovely Tea Talk. What a fun little break this tea talk gives us every Thursday...why don't you join us...
Celebrate Friendship

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Hello everyone!

I have decided that I complain all too often on my little blog. Maybe it doesn't seem so to you but as I reflect on my thoughts I am thinking that I do. So, I am going to try much harder to not be this way.

It is snowing here...both yesterday and today but I have no reason to complain. I have seen the reports of "feet" of snow. The "snow storm" was called off here and we are just under an advisory...probably all in all we will have about 7 inches total from these last two days. I am thankful that my husband is home and that he was able to clean the driveway this morning. Brittany will have to do it again if her dance classes aren't canceled for this evening. I guess we'll see about that. The main road is covered...so I am figuring that many of the roads are covered here.

Brittany was blessed with a new opportunity. She is an assistant teacher, teaching a jazz and tap class this year at the new studio where she started this fall. Monday night the owner asked her if she could take on another class on Saturday mornings. She of course told her that it would be fine...this class is tumbling for age 3. She is very excited to start. The Lord just really blessed her this year with the change that she knew she had to make. He saw her through it and has given her the desires of her heart...to continue to share her gift here and still be able to teach. The Teacher that she assists with has given her sections of the recital dance to choreograph for their recital. She is just very thankful.

My husband is going to be home for many weeks. I am happy that he'll be here with us...but a bit concerned that the economy is taking a wallop out of corporate training. Our Lord knows just what we need and will take care of us so we'll just have to wait it out. Luckily, I don't know that luck has anything to do with it but he can now teach many of the classes from his office over the internet. I think this is a saving grace for his company...to keep the expenses low and hopefully still make a profit.

I hurt my wrist. (I assure you I am not complaining) Saturday...that snow was so heavy I think I must have twisted it too much in dumping the snow from my shovel to the side where we piled it. It was doing a bit better...then last night after cleaning up after dinner I took my little kidz (what we call our fur kids) outside for a potty break...while I was out there I shoveled their little potty place that we had to make for them and re-twisted my left wrist. It isn't very happy with me today. I thought that after a good night sleep it would feel better but It was pretty bad and swollen this morning...so I had one of those icy hot patches in my medicine cupboard...I cut a long skinny strip and wrapped it around my wrist. I then found an ankle brace from when someone twisted their ankle. I slipped it onto my wrist...my thumb fits nicely through the heel section and I folded the foot part back a couple of times. Almost immediately I felt relief and I can actually lift things better than I have been able to for a couple of days. I think I'll just keep it wrapped for a couple of days for protection. I am thankful that I had these things around the house so that I didn't have to go out in the snow this morning.

I came across a quote from Amy Carmichael this morning during our Bible study...it is sticking with me and thought I'd share it with you too.

"When we are downhearted or fearful or weak, we are saying to everybody...after all the Lord can't be absolutely trusted. " (Makes you think doesn't it?)

I sure wouldn't want my fears and worries shown that our Lord can't be trusted. My mindset is to keep seeking the blessing in all things.

Wishing you all good health and safety,
Joyce Marie

Monday, February 8, 2010

Monday...another winter storm? Oh, my!

Happy Monday morning! We have just finished all of our together things for school. Brittany has been hard at work on the two papers that are required for her to graduate with our CHEO group. She is refining them and now has to hand write them out to have them ready by our March 1st deadline.

We had a wild and crazy weekend. We had so much snow that we literally had to start digging from our back door to the driveway. We have a fairly long driveway because it runs up a hill behind our home. The snow was heavy so we took turns off and on giving each other a break. I called my husband who was at the airport waiting for his flight and told him that I didn't know if I could get out of our street. He decided to rent a car to drive himself home. I listened to the local radio...there were accidents all over the roads. Cars kept getting stuck in our road. It was just a very messy day. He landed a couple of hours later and came home in his tiny rental car...I kept thinking...I bet he won't be able to get up the road. Sure enough, he couldn't...he had to park at the post office which is a block away and trudge through the snow to our house. Against my better judgment...he then decided that he would shovel the street wide enough for our car from our driveway to the corner. I have to admit...I wasn't happy about this. I was worried that he would hurt himself but he didn't, thank the Lord. Maybe it felt good for him to blow off some steam after sitting on the plane...but all in all we were finally able to get to the rental car and return it. By that time the main streets were much better and the plows finally came down our street late yesterday afternoon. The thing is...we live in the city limits...we saw rural roads that were clear...but our city streets weren't...this happens often and it is frustrating...our city rarely uses salt on our street so as the snow melts and the ice forms it can be treacherous. Ok...enough of our snowy weekend.

As I opened my eyes the morning the radio reported that another storm system is heading our way. They are saying that we can get another 6-10 inches of the stuff. I have no idea where we are going to put all of this snow. Our piles are high as it is...at least my husband is home this week...we have snow coming all the way into Friday so I am thankful that he is here...maybe this will be our last winter blast.

Outside my window the sun is shining and the sky is blue. It is a crisp 16 degrees. I have seen little of the critters that are usually frolicking all over here. I feel bad for them, my guess is they are high in their little squirrel nests snuggled in the tree tops.

This afternoon, I am going to be moral support with my mom as she has her mammogram. Last year she was called back for a second one because there was a wrinkle in the film. It looked suspicious...so we all just about had a heart attack in thinking, oh no, here we go again...but the second test came out perfect...Praise the Lord! I think she is a little nervous this year...so I'll be there to just give her what she needs.

I think I'll head out for groceries in a bit to stock up for a couple of days...Brittany has dance tonight, I imagine the next couple of days we'll be couped up so we might as well get out as we can.

Blessings to you and yours...
Joyce Marie

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Nature Walk 9-11-08

The Great Blue Heron



These pictures were taken at Cuyahoga Valley National Park near the Beaver Marsh.
It was one of those beautiful September days where the temperature is perfect, the sky is blue and the sun sits high in it. We just happened to be in the right place as this Heron took his landing and graced us with his beauty.



Saturday, February 6, 2010

Untouched...


Two things that I do love about winter...snow that hasn't been touched by feet or critters and how the sun shines bright and the sky is bright blue after a storm. I just took the dogs out to go potty and wanted to capture the untouched snow in my back yard...beautiful!
Thank you Lord for the beauty you give us in the simple things...

Brrr...I'm cold!

Joyce Marie

Outside my Window

I threw open the windows for a bit to take a picture of what fell here in Ohio last night. We used our eighteen inch ruler...we were supposed to get 3-5 inches...we ended up with over a foot. Our road is impassible for now so we are kinda stuck. Hopefully the plows will catch up and do our area soon. I was afraid of getting stuck this morning so my husband rented a car at the airport...he can't get up the road...which is what I was afraid of. But Brittany and I worked real hard at shoveling this morning and it only took us an hour and half to dig ourselves out of the driveway...Okay Spring...I'm ready for ya!

Outside my window...



Thursday, February 4, 2010

Updating my earlier post...

It as a really beautiful day today. We could hear the drip, drip, drip of the snow melting. Brittany and I just wanted to be out in it so that's what we did. All of this graduation talk makes me feel very uneasy. I guess I better get used to it huh? We searched some this afternoon for ways to make our own graduation announcements...Kodak has a program that you can do this...we created our own card. I think it will be lovely. Our school colors are pink and green...(ok, don't laugh, we are girly girls...we love pink and green) Brittany told her dance teacher a couple years ago and he got a belly laugh out of it. I can't imagine why??? Anyway...the card we chose has pink and green circles on it with a white background and a bit of brown too. It is so pretty...it is kind of exciting that we can choose our own design. The card will have one picture on the front, one on the inside and a tiny one on the back. Brittany chose two Bible verses and just like that we created our beautiful announcement. I can get more for my money this way...and we had the fun of creating it ourselves. Now, we just need to snap a couple of really good pictures which I am sure we won't have a problem doing as this is one of my daughter's favorite things to do.

Next...as we were driving around and we were talking about all the people she would like to invite I had a flash of...I don't know what...the vision of something spilling on my mom's carpet or furniture and said out loud...we can't have the party at Grammy's...she'll be a nervous wreck and then I'll be a nervous wreck and that isn't going to go so well...so...what if we check out a pavilion...it is summer after all. We drove around the adjacent town and found three to call about. Then one practically in our backyard. Which even has a fireplace...so if the weather is cool by chance...we could have a fire. To me this just feels right. We can have a picnic theme...maybe get a volleyball net and have a game going. Have some bubbles for the kids. There is a pond nearby where we can feed the ducks and geese. So...for $45 I can rent this little rustic pavilion in the woods and if things get spilled I won't have to worry. Whew! I mentioned it to Dennis this evening...he thought it a great idea too. Whew! First two decisions...Made!

This is really happening!

Brittany is really going to graduate this year and I have so much to think about. This we know, she will graduate with CHEO...Christian Home Educator's of Ohio. The graduation ceremony is at the tail end of their homeschool convention, usually in our state capital which is two hours from our home. We have been planning this for a long time...much to my surprise this year the convention has been moved to our home town. I can't believe it. She will graduate here, ten minutes from our home. It just amazes me. I surely never expected that. These are the details I have so far...and believe me, just writing this down makes my heart beat faster and puts my stomach in my throat but here goes...her graduation will be Saturday June 26. (Am I really writing down the graduation date of my baby girl?) She is required to write a hand written essay on her homeschool experience as well as her personal testimony. When these are completed I'll post them. I can't wait to read her thoughts on this.

Her cap and gown will be burgundy and white...this was on their website...so this will be done for us.

Next...graduation announcements. I found this website. I have fallen in love with their designs...here is the link (just in case you like them too)...let me know what you think...I value your opini
ons...
I like the fact that we can use our own picture and have the picture and announcement all on one card. I am pretty sure that I will go with this...I just need to find out how much time to allow for it to be made and shipped.

We are thinking of having an open house...to invite people that have made a difference in her life...probably the Sunday after graduation...my mom has volunteered her house...which takes the pressure off of us just in case our bathroom isn't finished. My mom has an enclosed porch off of her kitchen which allows for more room too. I think this will be very nice. Okay...what in the world do you serve for an open house? How many hours do you hold and open house? Would love your thoughts here too.My thoughts are a deli tray...various salads and then we thought instead of a cake that we would make platefuls of fancy cookies. We thought that might be nice and I can make ahead many and freeze them in my mom's deep freeze...plus...my mom would probably enjoy making some as well.

Ok...so what else do I need? I know some of you are seasoned homeschool moms who have graduated your children...besides the fact that I need to get my emotions under control...can you think of anything I am forgetting?


Are you suffering from the Winter Blues...

it seems that many people are this week. I think it has something to do with Ground Hog day...it makes us focus on just how much time we still have of cold or snowy weather. I have been pretty good this year. I don't know why...I think perhaps it is because we are in our last winter of school and I don't want to waste a moment of these now fleeting days. I recently bought a copy of The Message...I have never read it...but thought it would be a nice companion to my daily readings. Yesterday I ran across this verse. It was so beautifully written that I thought I would share it with you just in case you were feeling like it were just another ordinary day...for me reading this I felt renewed and refreshed...I hope that you find it as soothing as a warm summer breeze.


So here is what I want you to do, God helping you. Take your everyday ordinary life - your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-informed maturity in you.
Ro
mans 12:1-2
(The M
essage Remix 2.0)

Thursday Tea Talk...February 4


I am feeling...a fresh brewed cup of Maxwell House South Pacific Blend coffee with creamer. My mug...is a creamy ivory color from a new set of dishes I recently purchased.

On my mind today...that I am thankful that I have nothing pending until Saturday, that we only have two more wake- ups and my sweetheart will be working from home for two more weeks, and I hope that we don't get a big snow tomorrow.

I am feeling...cold...the house is not yet warm and the air around me is very chilly. But my coffee feels good going down.

There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea. ~Henry James, The Portrait of a Lady

Thank you again Ruth for this lovely Tea Talk I look forward to it each and every week. We would like it if you join us too. Click on the Tea Talk button and join us there at Celebrate Friendship...



Tuesday, February 2, 2010


Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name. In the sight of God and man.
Proverbs 3:3-4

My new office!

I am so excited. Nearly 3 years ago my laptop died right in the middle of the school year. You know how difficult this can be when you actually have much of your work on the computer. My husband was able to recover it...thankfully. Brittany had a lap top that we proudly nick-named TANK...well, it was named tank for the fact that the hinges broke on the laptop so my husband had to put supports to hold the lid open. The laptop worked great until...the cord prongs of the cord broke off in the laptop...this happened, around the same time period. Talk about putting a family in panic, we do depend on our computers. We found that with my laptop that HP would fix it...so we sent it in for repair...and bought me a desk top...when my laptop came back we gave it to Brittany. It lasted for quite a while and then last spring...it had the very same symptoms and HP no longer will fix it...again, my husband was able to get our work off of it. Praise the Lord! You think we would learn...so it has been at least two years that I have had this desk top and no desk. We took an old television Armoir and this is what I used for my desk. The nice thing is...when we had company, I could close the doors and no one could see my messy desk. It drove everyone in the house crazy because using a dining room chair you had to reach up to type and you could never place your fingers correctly on the keys...it was a pain but hey...I hated to spend anymore money. Soooo...this past Saturday, after Brittany taught her two dance classes we readied ourselves for a little road trip to Pittsburgh (two hours from our home) to the closest IKEA store. I love IKEA...it is fun to just walk around but even funner when you want to buy something. So we bought a new office for me which is now in an empty corner of our living room. It looks so nice and is going to be so organized and I am so incredibly happy I can hardly wait to sit at my desk every morning. Thought I'd post a picture of it here and I have promised myself that it will stay just they way it looks...nice and tidy.

Doesn't it look so inviting with my steaming cup of coffee there on a placemat? I think so. And this is my freshly painted living room as well. Just beyond the windows is my birdfeeder and the park that butts up against our property.


Blessings!

Monday, February 1, 2010

Half Birthdays...

When Brittany was very young I used to attend a mommy club at our church. We would gather for coffee and something sweet on Wednesday mornings...some days it would be a craft...other days we would have great speakers. It was a great morning out and the children were cared for through the children's ministry. Boy, does that seem like a long time ago...

This one particular day they talked about fun things to do with your children and the speaker mentioned having a half birthday party...this really stuck with me so every February 1st we celebrate the half birthday of our daughter. It can be a fun time with the kids...you can get really creative by baking a cake and only decorating and serving half. Think about half...you can come up with many things to make it fun. We just do something simple like hot fudge sundaes. We usually buy her a little something because it is a half birthday party after all. I think back to that first one...she was pretty young and money was pretty tight back then. I went to CVS and bought her some kind of game...wrapped it and we told her that is was her half birthday. (I think my husband thought I was nuts!) Every year since we have made it a special day and one that she does look forward to. A couple of weeks ago we were talking about it...I mentioned something to the fact that soon it would be her half birthday...I made it sound like it was her last. She asked, "just because I turn eighteen next year...does it mean that I don't get anymore half birthdays? " Her daddy and I just laughed and told her that we imagine that for her we'll always celebrate her half birthday...
so today, my sweet...Happy Half Birthday!

After hugs and kisses this morning and happy half birthday wishes reality set in..."I can't believe that in six months I am going to be eighteen!" I gave her a great big hug and told her...all is going to be well...

I'd like to encourage you to give your children a surprise for their next half birthday...if you have never done this before...I bet they'll get a kick out it!

Blessings!
Joyce