As I sit here at my computer, I am wondering if I have anything at all worthy to say. I have taken a long break from blogging...and now, I guess I am ready to get back to it. I am missing the fellowship of blogging with my bloggy friends...so I plan to take some time this week and visit each and every one of you.
Many things have been happening around here and some of them stink...and I do mean stink. Two weeks before we left for vacation...I began my usual laundry for the week...when I went back to the basement...a huge puddle of water was coming out of our drain...it could mean nothing other than tree roots! So, being that my husband was in Virginia, I had to take matters in my own hands and call someone. I called the company and they came out within a few hours. Thinking that I had all under control...well, when the guy came out...he was asking me things like "where is your clean out?" I replied with..."ummm, I have no idea, whenever we have had it cleaned out...they went through there." as I pointed to the drain hole in the dark corner of our basement. It was quite a balmy day outside...the guy was sweating up a storm and by this time he was causing me to sweat. He kept looking around...I kept insisting that this was the hole that they use...my husband was in the middle of teaching so all I could do was leave him a message...he quoted me a price...and I about lost my lunch...trying not to dig into our vacation fund wasn't going to be easy...and the last thing I wanted to do was tell my family that we couldn't go...so I waited to see if he would get to work. Well, he couldn't get the snake down the drain...he tried everything...then he came to me and told me that he couldn't get to it...he asked me what all of the cement patches in our basement were for (who knows with a 90 plus year old house)...meanwhile, every time I talked to this guy my price went up...another $250 here, $500 there...I was near $1000 dollars and was seeing our little vacation going down the drain. I told him that I could not make a decision like this without talking to my husband...and that my husband was away working. He decided to give the snake another try...he was sweating to beat the band...and my heart was in my throat. I told him..."please don't do anything that would cause damage, that I am not prepared for that expense." He shook his head in understanding...I just wanted the guy out of my house. Oh how I wished that I could have talked to my husband at that moment. Soon, I heard him pulling that large machine back up the basement steps...and $94 dollars later...I still had a clogged drain. (sigh)
So...that night, Brittany and I did what we could between calls to my husband. Oh, and by the way...I did find out that we do have a clean out. I just never realized that it was there...(another sigh), off to the hardware store we went and purchased something to clear the drain...this was a Thursday...the drain cleared with the chemical...and it was clear until Sunday...and then, we were backed up again...this time with sewage. So...we needed to get something to clear it...back to the hardware store we went...another chemical down the drain...our thinking was...if we could just patch it until we got back from vacation...it worked again...like a charm. We got through another couple days...and I began to wash our clothes again...and you guessed it...the wash water backed up. To make a long story short...we were able to baby the drain until we got back...called another plumber and under two hours...we have a clear drain...tree roots were clogging at 30 and 85 feet. We are running clear...
That same weekend, we had our first hard rain in weeks...we have had a summer with hardly a drop this year. Picking my husband up from the airport...wasn't a problem...but on the way home...it was raining so heavy that our van hit high water a couple of times and hydroplaned...I could see the look on my husbands face...we needed new tires. UGH! Was someone trying to tell us something? At that point I was beginning to wonder if our long awaited beach vacation was going to pass us by. My husband spent the next few days...searching for tires...and I reworked my checking account and came up with a budget for the tires which we blew...but what can you do?
So...here we finally were, brand new tires...a patched sewer, dogs in the kennel, bunny at Grammy's house and the car loaded. We hadn't taken the van on the expressway yet...getting up to speed my husband realized that something with the tires wasn't right...they were really bouncy...not something that you want to hear as you are about to head south through the mountains on your way to Florida. We almost turned back...but decided to go ahead anyway...but the tires were not balanced. We made it through and reached our destination just in time for Hurricane Earl to wreak havoc with rip tides and choppy waters...but it didn't stop us from enjoying the view. We had our tires balanced while there and now they ride smooth as glass...due to all the stress awaiting us here...it was a good vacation...got to float around the pool with my girl, got some sun on our very pasty skin...read a wonderful book from Karen Kingsbury. Brittany read 3 from Melody Carlson...and my husband read an over 800 page book. I made it through just one, not very long book. I don't know what my problem is...:)
Back home...our drain held up until payday...and it is great...but our van is having problems...that we are hoping will be covered under our warranty...we'll find out tomorrow...
My husband, doesn't feel like he had a vacation...with all that was going on...his job is killing him! I am feeling weary...and just haven't had a lot to say...but God is good! He takes care of us when we are low...when we are tired and weary.
I have more to write about...and trust me they are on the positive side of things...so I'll save that for tomorrow.
In the meantime...Be Blessed!
Joyce Marie
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
Taking some time to just enjoy summertime here...soon the leaves will be falling (they have already begun) and the nights will chill...so...until then, I plan to enjoy.
Off on a family vacation this Thursday...so excited to get away to the beautiful Florida beaches...with my family.
I know that I have been absent quite a bit this summer...back to normal after vacation...hopefully renewed and refreshed!
Have a great week everyone!
Joyce Marie
Off on a family vacation this Thursday...so excited to get away to the beautiful Florida beaches...with my family.
I know that I have been absent quite a bit this summer...back to normal after vacation...hopefully renewed and refreshed!
Have a great week everyone!
Joyce Marie
Friday, August 13, 2010
it's all in His plan...
I am going to backtrack a bit here...when we (Brittany and I) began middle school I began to feel that pressure like all of us do...as a homeschooler...was I able to give her enough to "make it" in this world. Could I teach her enough to get her into college...would she be ready? All of these thoughts began to cover me and burden me and I ordered a boxed curriculum set and we began our middle school this way. It wasn't long before I realized that all my girl was doing was cramming for tests. Very little learning was going on...so, if I remember correctly...we took a long weekend, had a discussion of where we should go from here and I found Ambleside Online. I loved the fact that it was free as I had already spent a small fortune on a curriculum that I was not going to use. I was able to match up with a time period that we had already started and our school became a different in an amazing way. Fast forward to starting high school...still using the Charlotte Mason method, I was way more confident...and able to find books that worked for us...also, during this time, I began to pray in a different way.
I began to pray that God would lead us down a path that was designed strictly for her. I began to watch her and study her interests...when she developed an new one we explored it...some of them faded...but for the ones the stuck...we added them into our schooling. For the first time...we weren't doing "school at home" we were truly homeschooling...and she was thriving and everyday felt like an adventure. The Lord gave us what we needed each day to nurture her interests and help her mature in them.
These last few months...we have got the now dreaded question in our home..."What college are you going to?" And the looks of disapproval we get from those who ask, their upturned eyebrows when in fact my daughter tells them that she is not going to college. You would think that her plans were to become a couch potato...we try not to cringe...which is what was beginning to happen to us both...and trust in the One who has led us thus far. He holds to the key my dear friends to our children's future...
We do not have to mainstream our children into a system that tells us that we have to have the "college experience". In my daughters case...we have found alternate ways of certification that will not leave her with a huge debt upon her had after graduation. Her education and learning is far from over...it really has just begun. Thist feels good to me. I am not putting down college...not in anyway. For many if not most...this is the solution. For my daughter...we chose the alternative route.
The Lord has proven to us time and time again that His way is the best. She has now had two people take her under their wing in her dance teaching...last night she had an enlightening talk with her new boss...this woman is giving her opportunity to learn the ropes of a dance studio owner without any competitiveness...she knows that Brittany has a dream to own a dance studio someday...she is giving her opportunity to learn. It amazes me...that all of her favorite things that she has worked on these past years will again see her through her first job.
Being quiet...having complete trust that the God who created our children has a plan for each and every one of them...not allowing the pressure of the "world" to confuse us...but to truly listen to our children...more importantly our Lord. It is all in HIS plan!
As many of you are ready to begin your fall classes...I just want to encourage you this year to take the time to trust in Him. Enjoy your children, learn along side of them...find the adventure in your homeschool. Watch what God will do in the life of your kids.
Blessings!
Joyce Marie
I began to pray that God would lead us down a path that was designed strictly for her. I began to watch her and study her interests...when she developed an new one we explored it...some of them faded...but for the ones the stuck...we added them into our schooling. For the first time...we weren't doing "school at home" we were truly homeschooling...and she was thriving and everyday felt like an adventure. The Lord gave us what we needed each day to nurture her interests and help her mature in them.
These last few months...we have got the now dreaded question in our home..."What college are you going to?" And the looks of disapproval we get from those who ask, their upturned eyebrows when in fact my daughter tells them that she is not going to college. You would think that her plans were to become a couch potato...we try not to cringe...which is what was beginning to happen to us both...and trust in the One who has led us thus far. He holds to the key my dear friends to our children's future...
We do not have to mainstream our children into a system that tells us that we have to have the "college experience". In my daughters case...we have found alternate ways of certification that will not leave her with a huge debt upon her had after graduation. Her education and learning is far from over...it really has just begun. Thist feels good to me. I am not putting down college...not in anyway. For many if not most...this is the solution. For my daughter...we chose the alternative route.
The Lord has proven to us time and time again that His way is the best. She has now had two people take her under their wing in her dance teaching...last night she had an enlightening talk with her new boss...this woman is giving her opportunity to learn the ropes of a dance studio owner without any competitiveness...she knows that Brittany has a dream to own a dance studio someday...she is giving her opportunity to learn. It amazes me...that all of her favorite things that she has worked on these past years will again see her through her first job.
Being quiet...having complete trust that the God who created our children has a plan for each and every one of them...not allowing the pressure of the "world" to confuse us...but to truly listen to our children...more importantly our Lord. It is all in HIS plan!
As many of you are ready to begin your fall classes...I just want to encourage you this year to take the time to trust in Him. Enjoy your children, learn along side of them...find the adventure in your homeschool. Watch what God will do in the life of your kids.
Blessings!
Joyce Marie
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Lazy days of summer...
In fear of boring anyone who happens to stop by here to tears...I apologize.
Not much going on here...our weather has been very hot here this summer...I am not complaining...I would rather have a hot summer than a cool summer. I have been spending my week doing my laundry...and am happy to say that I am all caught up...well, as soon as I put that last load in the dryer, fold them and put them away. I gave myself a manicure and a pedicure today...I decided that I am going to try and do this for myself once a week...I am reading a good book as well...that's about it...
Went to a local farm and bought corn, green beans, squash and zucchini yesterday...trying to figure out what to have for supper tonight.
What have you been doing today?
Joyce Marie
Not much going on here...our weather has been very hot here this summer...I am not complaining...I would rather have a hot summer than a cool summer. I have been spending my week doing my laundry...and am happy to say that I am all caught up...well, as soon as I put that last load in the dryer, fold them and put them away. I gave myself a manicure and a pedicure today...I decided that I am going to try and do this for myself once a week...I am reading a good book as well...that's about it...
Went to a local farm and bought corn, green beans, squash and zucchini yesterday...trying to figure out what to have for supper tonight.
What have you been doing today?
Joyce Marie
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Hey there, I realize that I have been gone for nearly a month...we have had a rough summer here in our house...as you know...it started out with Brittany being sick throughout her entire graduation and beyond...then I caught the bug...let me tell you. I was very sick...it took everything in me to just get better. Six days of fever, followed by what I think was viral pneumonia...which I really believe is what my Brittany had as well...but I can say that I woke up yesterday morning with that feeling that I am back to myself...and I am so very thankful.
I completely missed my darling husbands birthday (which I plan on making up to him)...and then Brittany ended up with a bad ear infection in which she couldn't hear out of her left ear for over two weeks...so...as you can see...it has been a rough summer for us.
Since this is Football Hall of Fame week in our neck of the woods...this past Friday, we went to see the hot air balloon festival which is the kick off to the celebration. The city of Canton is just a stone's throw from us...Brittany took her new camera and was able to take some neat pictures...we had Italian sausage sandwiches and yummy lemonade...and then shared an elephant ear between the three of us. The best part was just getting out of the house and feeling like we were just normal people again. I was able to walk a long way...and up hills which a week before I don't think that I would have been able to. I barely had the strength to walk across my living room.
I know that I am jumping around a bit...but to tell you the truth...when you have been cooped up in the middle of summer being sick...there isn't a lot to say.
Brittany is finishing up her last week of dance camp this week and then she'll have a break until her fall classes begin...she will be teaching about 10 hours this fall which she is thrilled with and should keep her very busy as she has lesson plans to create for all of her classes and dances to choreograph.
Plans this week...my darling husband is in Massachusetts...so Brittany and I have plans to rent a couple of movies...check out a couple of antique stores...have an Hawaiin ice at a place we just discovered...return cd's to the library...and make a visit to our favorite bargain store...most importantly to just enjoy the fact that we are both healthy again...
I'll try to write more interesting posts instead of sickly rambling ones here in the near future...but for now...have a blessed Tuesday!
Joyce Marie
I completely missed my darling husbands birthday (which I plan on making up to him)...and then Brittany ended up with a bad ear infection in which she couldn't hear out of her left ear for over two weeks...so...as you can see...it has been a rough summer for us.
Since this is Football Hall of Fame week in our neck of the woods...this past Friday, we went to see the hot air balloon festival which is the kick off to the celebration. The city of Canton is just a stone's throw from us...Brittany took her new camera and was able to take some neat pictures...we had Italian sausage sandwiches and yummy lemonade...and then shared an elephant ear between the three of us. The best part was just getting out of the house and feeling like we were just normal people again. I was able to walk a long way...and up hills which a week before I don't think that I would have been able to. I barely had the strength to walk across my living room.
I know that I am jumping around a bit...but to tell you the truth...when you have been cooped up in the middle of summer being sick...there isn't a lot to say.
Brittany is finishing up her last week of dance camp this week and then she'll have a break until her fall classes begin...she will be teaching about 10 hours this fall which she is thrilled with and should keep her very busy as she has lesson plans to create for all of her classes and dances to choreograph.
Plans this week...my darling husband is in Massachusetts...so Brittany and I have plans to rent a couple of movies...check out a couple of antique stores...have an Hawaiin ice at a place we just discovered...return cd's to the library...and make a visit to our favorite bargain store...most importantly to just enjoy the fact that we are both healthy again...
I'll try to write more interesting posts instead of sickly rambling ones here in the near future...but for now...have a blessed Tuesday!
Joyce Marie
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
We finally got our girl back up on her feet! Thanks to NyQuil and DayQuil...we have never used either one of them...but she had a dry cough ALL day on Saturday...I actually think that her inhaler was irritating her...so we tossed it to the side, her daddy ran to the drugstore, we gave her a dose and she was out like a light...the next morning...he was back out buying the daytime version. She is still feeling a bit sluggish but, she made it through her teaching night and was still smiling when she came home...it was nice to see that sparkle in her eyes again.
I have to say...that I am afraid that I am in for it now...so...I am now taking the same meds and drinking lots of hot beverages as they feel good on my throat. I guess I'll be taking some forced R&R...
It is hot, hot...hot here...hot and dry which is so not Ohio weather...as a matter of fact, I looked at the weather report this morning...and it had a bright yellow sun and a cactus...in Ohio? I am enjoying it...I love Phoenix hot...and that is what our weather feels like.
Blessings dear friends!
Joyce Marie
I have to say...that I am afraid that I am in for it now...so...I am now taking the same meds and drinking lots of hot beverages as they feel good on my throat. I guess I'll be taking some forced R&R...
It is hot, hot...hot here...hot and dry which is so not Ohio weather...as a matter of fact, I looked at the weather report this morning...and it had a bright yellow sun and a cactus...in Ohio? I am enjoying it...I love Phoenix hot...and that is what our weather feels like.
Blessings dear friends!
Joyce Marie
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