Blizzard of 2010

Friday the National Weather Service forcasted 12 or more inches of wet snow and high winds, possible power outages for our area. Let me tell you, they got it right on this one! It has been snowing since Friday morning and the snow will continue through sometime tonight with more snow expected Monday! Hopefully, we will not loose power, we do have a generator but my concern would be the the lack of heat!

These two kind of look like they are kissing or sharing food, but the birds are getting kind of chippy.

These two are getting along.

The view from the back door.

Carndinal in the snow.

We have a tree stump next to the closet tree – it is completely covered!

I have trouble taking pictures of the Blue Jays, they see the slightest movement and take flight so this was a huge victory for me.

Here are some birds forging for seed on the ground. Eric forgot to pick up more seed for the bird, so later on I put out some bread crumbs for our feathered friends.

Here are my guys shoveling the driveway.

It's Snowing!

What's the weather like in your neck of the woods? Here... it's SNOWING! The flakes have been falling all morning, and at one point we thought that the white stuff was tapering off, but no the snow continues!

Enjoy your weekend.

ReBecca

How was your Thanksgiving?

I hope that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and took a little time to thank God for all the many blessings he has bestowed on you – I know I did (and do)! My mother was able to visit for a week; one of these days maybe we’ll be able to talk her into staying for at least two weeks. My mom helped me prepare our Thanksgiving fest and we had Eric’s parents and niece Lindsay join us on Thanksgiving Day. Another blessing was that my brother and his family were able to come down Saturday - we had four generations here, of course I missed the photo opportunity (gee!)

My mom gave cooking and baking lessons while here, I learned how to make her macaroni and cheese and pecan pie, it is going to take a couple more lessons for me to get the dressing down. Eric wanted to watch her make her family favorite Sour Cream Pound Cake, he didn’t have a good experience with that cake the first time he tried (LOL). Nicole made those tasty sweet potato muffins again this year, this time Gene wanted to join in to help out.

The school year for the kids has been just rolling along; we’ve already received their first report card. Nicole is adjusting well, she made only one C on her report card and that was in reading, seems the purple princess was not interested in turning in her reading logs. She is all excieted about her upcoming band concert at school.

I really believe Gene thought public school was going to be like all fun and no work, he is struggling with several issues - it has been really draining, please keep him in your prayers. He also has a band concert this month, this will be his second concert and the other 8th grade band students were able to practice and play with the high school band during half time at one of the football games.

We’ll I’m off for now, I’m watching the Washington Wizards vs. Toronto Raptors (NBA), the Wizards are losing so I’d better scram so that I cheer them on!

Meet Benson

This weekend we dog sat for niece Lindsay, I was a little nervous that Benson would have an accident in the house, plus he was already a bit sad because Lindsay's other dog was at Grandma's house, so he didn't have his play mate and big brother.

Benson such a good boy, no accidents or any bad behavior the entire weekend. He just wanted to be right under you, or at least in the same room with you, plus he wanted lots of petting. As soon as you start petting him, he rolls on his back so that you can rub his belly!

Just love those flop ears!

This was too cute - I guess his elbow was a bit itchy, so here is Benson trying to lick his elbow. Silly boy!

God Bless America

God bless America with --

Peace for all who are troubled;

Grace for all who are needy;

Courage for all who fear;

Strength for all who are weary;

Faith for all who are seeking;

Hope for all who are uncertain;

Protection for all who serve;

Wisdom for all who lead.

-- Roy Lessin

Happy Mother's Day!

Mother – A Blessing


A wonderful blessing which everyone has,

A gem much too precious to lose,

A flower so perfect we hardly can name it,

Even compared with a perfect white rose.

So here’s to this one who inspires our good,

This treasure, unlike any other:

God bless her and keep her, whatever betide,

This Angel on Earth called –

MOTHER

– Author unknown

WORDS

The greatest word is God.

The deepest word is Soul.

The longest word is Eternity.

The swiftest word is Time.

The nearest word is Now.

The darkest word is Sin.

The meanest word is Hypocrisy.

The broadest word is Truth.

The strongest word is Right.

The tenderest word is Love.

The sweetest word is Home.

The dearest word is MOTHER.

– Author unknown

Missing My Hour of Sleep!

Did you remember to change your clocks last night? We did, and boy was hard getting up this morning!

I'm so proud of myself, I did manage to drag myself from my bed this morning, fix a cup of English Breakfast tea and start preparing our Sunday meal of broiled pork chops, green beans, and rice. All that before going to church! WHEW!

Here are some of my feathered friends that I took last week, all the snow is gone and we are wearing t-shirts this weekend!

I think the Cardinals are one of my favorites, maybe because they are our state bird, but they are fun to watch and listen to. Doesn't Mr. Cardinal look dapper, what a nice contract with the snow.

Today, Eric took down the almost dead tree on the side of the house, the top of the tree came down last. Gene, Nicole and two neighbor kids helped to cart the smaller debris off to the woods in the back yard - without being asked!

More Snow

When I got up Tuesday morning it was snowing! How pretty. It snowed for a good little while, with big fat fluffy flakes but the snow was over before we headed out to the kids music class and by the time we got to Fredericksburg there was no evidence that it had snowed there.



We had a few visitors to come by for a little snack, and I do mean little snack because we running low on bird seed.

Monday the children went to the dentist for their six month check-up, they both had a good report, the dentist did encourage them to floss twice a day. Nicole said the hygienist told her that she had excellent oral hygiene. That was music to my ears since her last check-up reveled she was only brushing her front teeth. Got to keep the pearly whites, white and healthy!

There was a little boy at the dentist office who was a riot. After he finished his check-up he joyfully proclaimed to EVERYONE in the office that "I'M DONE!", "Now I can go to Old McDonald's!" LOL! I do believe this was his first trip to the dentist, he was very talkative, but was a sweetheart and just made my day! I think his mother was about ready for nap time!!

Wednesday it was my turn to be in the dentist chair, I to had a excellent report - no cavities, super job on flossing and brushing - love my SonicCare toothbrush. The ladies at my dentist office are so sweet, they always comment on how well behaved my children are. They don't know that I always remind Gene and Nicole to "act like you've got some sense" when we go anywhere and they normally do.

It Snowed!

Yesterday we had our first snow! I was beginning to think that we would not get any snow this winter but finally it came and talk about beautiful! Of course we didn't get just snow, had to have that nasty ice in the mix, so many accidents occurred yesterday.


The kids didn't go out and play in the snow yesterday, they were not feeling well. We all have been sick. I took the children to the doctor Monday because they have this dry cough that would not go away. The doctor said all sound and looks well, just a dry cough and recommended some over-the-counter cough syrup, and told me to also try giving them honey to coat the throat. Hopefully this thing will run its course and my home will be a healthy once again.

We are back in the groove of school after our wonderful three week break for Christmas and New Year. Our first week back we started our Tapestry of Grace, Unit 2, and thankfully we have had a pretty light schedule for the first three weeks.

Gene is two weeks away from completing his Teaching Textbooks Math 7, once he is finished with that he will start Pre-Algebra. I tell you I love, love, love this curriculum! It has turned my struggling in math child who would take for EVER to complete his math assignments, and barely made a C, to one who enjoys and is confident in math and is now a A/B student. Now, he did have a couple of weeks were his grades dropped dramatically, I think he was down in the basement playing instead of working but thankfully he has come to himself and is back making excellent grades in math!

The kids have started taking a Beginning Stings class, and are learning how to play the viola. We had major drama getting an instrument, they both wanted to play guitar, but the music stores do not rent guitars, and Eric and I didn't want to invest that much money on two guitars not sure if they would want to continue with the lessons and practice. The second choice was the violin, but we couldn't find their size to rent, so our third option was the viola and the third try was a winner. If you are not familiar with a viola it looks like a violin, only larger, I will post pictures later.

They are enjoying the music class, and are really into the learning process, and remember what the instructor tells them, which is always a good thing, and practice about 30 minutes each day.

As you can see from the pictures, we have many bird come to our feeders yesterday. We normally have five doves visit, but yesterday I counted 11 all gathered under the feeders! I just saw a beautiful male cardinal, he was so lovely with his bright feathers against the white snow - I missed the shot because my camera batteries are charging up (argh!).


I'm off to get a cup of tea, hope you enjoy the pictures of our feathered friends. I do get a kick out of watching them! Be blessed.

Wedding Crashers and Other Stuff

Last Saturday the family and I headed down to Yorktown for a wedding, my in-laws received their invitation, but somehow ours and niece Lindsay's didn't come in the mail, an oversight we just know, so we crashed the wedding. We do know the bride, and Eric told her that this was one wedding he was not going to miss, invitation or not - you see the bride is 49, and this is her first marriage. The wedding was beautiful. The soloist sounded like a professional singer, I didn't see her at first and thought it was music from a CD. The ring bearer and flower girl were adorable, the flower girl was a bit reluctant to walk down the isle, and was defiantly not tossing any flowers that day. The bride was radiant, congratulations Mabel and Keith!

Here is a picture of the wedding program. Just goes to show you that anything can be turned into a lapbook!

Field Trip

Yesterday the kids and I went on a field trip to the USMC Museum with our homeschool group. We had a guided tour which is always the best way, our guide, a retired Marine was suburb! I had been to the museum just back in July, but saw many new things this time, and learned so much more with the guide. I had my camera but didn't take the first picture, so here is one from my first visit.

The Other Stuff

I finally got around to switching out the summer clothes for the winter clothes for the kids this week, and quickly realized that Gene was in dire need for winter clothes, just about everything he had was too short. So today, we headed for the store, our first stop was Target and they had Hanes boys sweat pants and shirts for $3.33. I went to the regular Target not the Super Target, but they may have the same deal.

Nicole's birthday is tomorrow, we went to Mary's Cakery & Candy Kitchen for her birthday cake. While we waited, they gave us yummy fudge samples, and they lady who helped me gave Nicole some free candies for her birthday, how sweet is that. They make a German Chocolate cake, (which is my all time favorite cake) that is almost as good as my mom's.

The cake is so pretty, can you guess her favorite color is purple!

All My Favorite Things!

Oh boy! I received a new catalog today, I'm thinking my blessing for cleaning off my desk today. I didn't order or request this catalog, but there it was in my mailbox, with my name on it. It's The Country House, they designed the cover with me in mind, because it has a rooster, a star and a miniature pie safe! The pie safe reminds me of my Grandma's, only hers was green with a screen instead of the tin. The cover looks very nice with my place mats too, don't you think!



The catalog has loads and loads of things I like, they even have a nice selection of wooden signs, two that stood out to me read:

"God doesn't give us what we can handle;
God helps us handle what we are given."

and

"Live in such a way that those who know you but don't know God, will come to know God because they know you..."

I think I have a new favorite catalog! If you have time check out the website, let me know what you think!

This Crazy Week

We received a call from Gene's eye doctor that his new glasses were ready, so Wednesday we head to the "Burg to get the long awaited glasses, only to find out that the lab has used the wrong frames, they are similar to the frames Gene picked out but MUCH larger. They looked huge on Gene's little face!

The lady offered to let Gene use those glasses, but with my boy plus loaner glasses - didn't seem like the greatest idea in my book, so he put on his tiny specks and we will wait for another week to get his glasses. What can you do?


We went bowling earlier this week, my goal is to bowl at least 100, both Eric and I were struggling the entire time. At one point I was leading Eric, which never happens unless I'm first up and Eric hasn't bowled. It was not my night to bowl, I had gutter balls, many, many open frames, I did have a couple of strikes - not that many.

Eric says that I need a heavier ball, so he has ordered me a 12 pound ball, a cherry Vibe. The new ball should arrive next week, then we will have it drilled, hopefully this will help me a little.



Do you know what kind of bird this is? If so, please let me know. He usually flies away before I can get a picture ready. I'm thinking the first picture if of the female.

This and That

I posted pictures of the kids completed lapbook for Unit 3 in Tapestry of Grace yesterday, I failed to mention that we are half way finished with Unit 4 and Gene just started working on his new lapbook this week, Nicole hasn't started hers yet. I usually get the three file folders all folded and glued for them, got around to that today; well I did the folding, and only glued one! I'm not the "on top of things" Mom when it comes to this portion of our studies!

I've been contemplating not using the file folders in our lapbooks, but instead use card stock paper and then take everything to Office Depot and have them bind the book for me. There has been an interesting discussion on the Tapestry e-mail group about a binding machine, but I'm not sure that I will use it enough to get my moneys worth out of it.

Here is another thought I had, use the card stock paper, any color will do, three hole punch the paper add the the mini book and slip everything into a 1" (or smaller) binder. You could even use four dividers to separate (in our case) the four units. Simple and expandable. What do you think?

Gene has been going to a wonderful eye doctor, great with kids, no pressure, little to no wait, friendly staff who don't mind helping their customers, but they no longer accept the insurance. I have been having a hard time trying to find another eye doctor, I sent out a SOS to two of my local home school groups, and finally the boy has an appointment! His appointment is set for Tuesday to get his eye exam and new glasses!

Have you ever started a work out schedule and stopped for vacation and had a hard time getting back into the routine? Well, that is exactly where I am! I stopped working out the day before we left for Florida, I did manage to walk with my mother one day while on vacation. Since we returned from our trip, I've been shaky - I had no intentions of working out the week we returned, the next week(s), I managed to lay out my gym clothes, thinking this would motivate me - didn't work, I FINALLY managed to get my hips up out of my cozy bed last Thursday morning, and just walked on my treadmill. This week, I was able to do my normal walk/run intervals on the treadmill everyday except today. I'm making progress, right! Today the kids and I walk in the neighborhood, which is just under three miles. Do you remember when you didn't even think about your weight? Argh!

I did manage to pass up getting ice cream when I went to the grocery store this week, ONLY because they didn't have my favorite Ben & Jerry's ice cream! Boy do I need a remedial course with First Place, Weight Watchers or something. Pray for me, I really need it, and especially when it comes to making better choices with food.

There is good news, a few weeks we joined the YMCA! I'm really excited about this, we are getting a brand spanking new Y, the grand opening will be September 1! We had a Y membership a few years ago, the problem was it was not all that close to the old house, the new one will be less than 15 minutes from my house. Woo Who!!

Eric has decided to ride his mountain bike into work on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This past Tuesday was his first day, the drive by car is 10 minutes from door to door, it took him around an hour to make it. He was loaded down with all his stuff - clothes, shoes, towel and other stuff crammed into his back pack. When he got on base he saw another rider doing his health and wellness, so Eric thought he would try to catch up with him. My dear hubby said he saw the other rider stand up, so he knew he was tired - it is on now! Not only did he catch the rider, but he also passed the guy. Eric's load was a little lighter after that! LOL

Today it took him 45 minutes to ride to work, I need to let you know that he is going through the woods in some areas to avoid the busy and dangerous roads just out from our sub-division, he is fortunate to be able to cross a four lane highway at a traffic light that lead him directly on base. I will try to have the camera ready when he comes home this afternoon. He looks so cute in his bike gear!

The pictures of the Tiger lilies are from my yard, and the Lily of the Nile shots were taken in Florida, I don't think I'd ever seen this flower before, then I saw some in a magazine my mother had, I think they are very pretty, and hopefully I can get some to plant here.