Camping Plans and Video

It is amazing what technology can do to distort the truth.  If you have a preteen or teen daughter who watches much tv, movies, or looks at magazines, you'll want her to view this video.  It's incredible.  After clicking on the link, look for "Click to Play" at the top.

http://www.campaignforrealbeauty.ca/flat2.asp?id=6905

 

If you go by Ashley's blog, she has more examples of this photo retouching.

 

Marissa's cat is recooperating well.  He is doing amazingly well at being locked in a kennel all the time.  We try to take turns petting him several times a day, and James takes him out and sits with him at night for a little while, which is a hoot, since he's not particularly a cat person.  He's still not putting weight on that leg, but is using it some.  Yesterday he licked that paw, then used it to clean his ears and face.  It is a good sign that he is controlling it that way.  I feel so sorry for him, though, locked up all the time.  He looks so depressed. 

 

We are hoping to go camping soon at Fall Creek Falls State Park.  We've been there several years during the fall.  Last year was great.  We had the first 3 days to ourselves.  There are probably a couple of hundred campsites, and there were only about 5 campers.  Over the weekend it was pretty full,but the rest of the time it was so quiet, peaceful, and beautiful.  The colors were at their peak.  This is a shot from last year taken one direction from our campsite.

 

 

The trip is tentative right now as we watch the weather.  If it is too cold or raining too much we won't go.  We have a pop up that does have a toilet and shower, and is bigger than the old standard pop up, but there are still 4 adults and 2 children in a small space.  If we can't go out it gets toooooo crowded.  Besides, that's the best part of camping--campfires, walks, bike rides, outside games, sitting around the picnic table. 

My only other hesitation about going is having to board Shadow (Marissa's cat) again.  I know he's in a kennel anyway, and even though they would pet him some, it wouldn't be as much as  we would and wouldn't be familiar faces.  Am I a horrible pet owner???  (sigh.  decisions.)  The other reason I so want to go this year is that Briana will start college next year, so this is the last time we will be able to ALL do this traditional fall camping trip, at least for the next 4 years, if not forever.  (Sniff! ) 

We had such a gorgeous day here yesterday--beautiful blue skies, not a cloud, comfortable temp, and a view almost as pretty as the campground, since we live in the woods full of hardwoods.  Marissa and I did her school out at the picnic table and reading in the deck swing, surrounded by the trees.  After we finished reading, she and I sat there for the longest time, snuggled under a light blanket and looked at the trees and sky.  We heard a woodpecker and watched another bird up on the roof.  When Dad came in for lunch, we all went out and had lunch at the picnic table.  We went out again this morning, but it was cloudy and a little nippier.  She *loves* doing her work out there, and works much happier.  I dread it getting too cold to go out!  Got to come up with a winter plan!  : ) 

I'd better get busy, I suppose.  I'm still trying to dig out from under everything that came home from my grandmother's.  There were also a ton of sheets and blankets everything was wrapped in that are having to be washed.  We're also trying to get the camper ready in case.  

May the Lord bless your week with unexpected smiles!

(Okay! I have no idea why it changed fonts half way through.  It isn't like that when I'm typing.  I don't have time to try to find out why, though.  So just enjoy the variety!!) 

 

Letitia

 

Hard Times and Blessings

We got home at 12:30 this morning from a very long week in Stonewall, Mississippi.  Stonewall is a tiny little fomer mill town in East Central Miss.  My grandmother lived there her whole life until recently, and my mom was reared there, moving to nearby Meridian when she married.  My grandmother was in extremely poor physical and mental condition, and had to be placed in a nursing home last Dec.  My mom and dad took care of her in their home here in Tenn for several months, but my grandmother was literally grieving herself to death because she wanted to be home.  She would not eat, and lost down to 88.4 lbs. when she entered the nursing home, which is in Miss about 15 min from her home town.  Her sister is in the same home, and they enjoy visiting.  In the last 10 months she is now up to 123 lbs., and some of her other physical conditions are under much better control under the care of the doctors there. 

   This past week my mom, Ashley and I worked to price my grandmother's things for an estate sale that we had Friday and Sat.  The rest of my family and my sister came down on Thursday to help out.  Wow!  That was a yard sale.  There was a ton of stuff, especially since my sister and I also took down some things.  But, the Lord blessed it and we sold an amazing amount of her things.  I estimate we only had about 10 or 12 medium size boxes left, plus clothes, which is nothing compared to what we started with.   On Friday between 7 am and 6:30 pm, I think we only had one short time period (maybe 5 min.) where there were no customers.  Most of the time we were swamped and couldn't keep up, and that was with 6 of us working the sale.  In the 2 days I'd say only about 4 people left without buying something.  I am exhausted!!!!!  Oh, and I made $130 off of my junk! 

    I was able to bring home my grandmother's dining room suite that I have always loved.  Only the china cabinet is actually in my dining room.  We have a large table that we just bought in the spring, an eating bar, and a pathway to the back door, so there is not much room left in a small area.  We were able to put the buffet in my living room, and I think it is going to look really pretty there.   But, the table,   hmmmm.....  I didn't want to use it right now when we still have little ones.  This is the dining room furniture my grandmother has had at least my whole life.  I'd like to try to find out when she bought it.  So for now, the table will be in.....my bedroom?!  I may cover it and use it for a scrapbook table.  Thankfully, I have a large bedroom.  I also brought home an old, beautiful chair.  It does need recovering because I don't like the material (at all!), then I hope to use it either in my living room or in the corner of my bedroom, along with an beautiful old round side table I brought also.  It was difficult leaving her house yesterday, knowing that would be the last time I ever went there.  The house sold while we were there, and that is a good thing and a burden lifted off of my parents, but it was sad.  My mom never lived in that house, but it's the only house I ever knew my grandparents to live in, and I have a lot of memories there. 

    Last Tuesday after Ashley, Daniella, and I had already left with my mom and dad, Marissa found her 7 year old cat outside her bedroom window crying.  He had been attacked by some kind of wild animal or dog.  His front leg was ripped open to the bone about 7" long.  They rushed him to the vet.  Poor Marissa was so upset, but I think Briana did a great job of comforting her and helping her get through it.  He was in shock, which the vet said probably saved his life, b/c it kept him from bleeding to death.  He did live through it, and had surgery the next day.  The worst case scenerio is that his leg will have to be amputated, but after a week in the hospital (and you don't even want to know the bill!) they are 95% hopeful that he will regain full use of it.  For now, he has to stay in a kennel for the next 2 weeks.  We borrowed a huge dog kennel from my sister, which can hold a litter box, food/water bowl, and plenty of room for Shadow to lay down and even move around a little.  He can't quite make his leg go where he wants it to, and doesn't put it down much, but the vet says he's putting more weight on it the last 2 days and they are hopeful.  I'm sure he will have to stay inside much longer even after he is out of the kennel, even if he does fully recover.

   It gets worse, though.  When we came in early morning this morning, we found Ashley's cat had died.  This is just unbelieveable.  I guess it's just the timing that makes it that way.  She had had Pepper for 16 years, so it obviously wasn't a complete surprise, but then again you are never ready for it.  She loved that kitty so, so much, and her heart is breaking right now. 

Pepper, our sweet, old friend 

We will miss him terribly. 

I had a few things written down for Marissa to do, such as math, while I was gone, but the morning after I left was her cat's attack, and she was so upset, then had to pack that she ended up not being able to do it.  After coming in so late last night, all the trauma going on with pets, my house ransacked with all this new furniture and rearranging furniture, and pure exhaustion, I doubt we will do any bookwork this week, either.  I'm not worried about it, though, because I know we are learning all the time.  We will get some reading done probably.  She also spent some great time with James' mother while I was at my grandmother's house. ( James and the little ones slept there the 5 nights.  It's about 30 min. from my grandmother's house.)  And, she has certainly had and will continue to get an education as she has watched her kitty go through this and she cares for him. 

   I am so thankful we are all back home safely and the Lord is caring for us even in our storms.  I am also thankful that we homeschool, so that taking this trip and learning life's lessons are possible. 

Letitia

An Obedient Heart

Our pastor is doing a series on the heart of Jesus.  Yesterday's sermon was on obedience.  It was very powerful.  As I sat listening to the Lord speak, He encouraged me in an area I sometimes struggle with, and that I have been praying about.  The purpose he has given me on this earth and an obedient heart as I carry out that purpose.  Not just *being* obedient, but being glad in my heart for being able to serve Him.

    The purpose that the Lord has given me is to glorify Him through being a wife and mother and teacher to my children.  So many times I feel guilty of all the things I am not, or don't do.  "I should do this or this."  The Lord patiently shows me over and over when I condemn myself that there may be a season for those things, but for now, my purpose is to glorify Him by being a wife and mother and teacher.  The next issue is doing all he called me to do with an obedient heart.  We can be obedient in actions without being joyfully obedient.  That is not what the Lord wants.  The last 2 years the homeschooling part has been a real struggle for me for 2 reasons:  I have a resistant child (to put it mildly) I am trying to teach and I have been homeschooling for 12 years and I hit selfish.  "I want".  or "I don't want".  What I know is that it is not about what *I* want or don't want.  It is about what my purpose is at this time in my life.  If I surrender my wants to the Lord, He will give me a joyful heart.  I'm getting there.  In the past several months, He has answered my prayers to want to teach my children.  Now we just have the practicalities to continue to work on.  Some of the attitude in my litttle one has improved as I have made some changes, some of my attitude toward her when she has an attitude has improved.  As I continue to yield to the Lord, I know He will be faithful to bring blessing and endurance, and that I will find joy in glorifying him in the work He has called me to. 

I love my children, and I am so thankful to be back at the place of desiring to teach them.  Now, I continue to work on wanting to teach them, even when they don't want to be taught.  I realize that I am lazy.  I want it to be easy.  I want a sweet, compliant, eager child.  I think that that is what the Lord wants, too.  He's just teaching me a whole lot along the way! 

I am leaving town today with my mom, dad, Ashley, and Daniella.  We are going to Mississippi (7 hour drive) to prepare for an estate sale we will be having this weekend at my grandmother's house.   Please pray for us today as we travel.  We will be driving through rain all day, some heavy.  As we get further south, they expect 1-2 inches of rain, some places more locally, and 15-25 mile per hour wind.  I don't expect to have computer access until next Sunday, so hopefully I can check in then. 

I hope everyone has a terrific, healthy, safe week!

Letitia

We Survived!

I think we survived all the birthdays and parties.  It started on the 22nd with Ashley's backyard cookout with some of her friends.

Here's the firering that I had been wanting that James was able to get done for the cookout.  He dug a big hole, then lined it with the beautiful rocks.  Those rocks are very expensive, but we were able to get them for free.  What a blessing.

    On the 27th was Ashley's actual birthday.  My parents came over, and we all went bowling (that was a lot of fun) and out to eat.  Seven days later was Briana's birthday.  My parents came back over (2 hour drive), and we went to Gatlinburg, walked around and went window shopping, used their Wacky Bear gift certificates (like a Build-a-Bear), and ate supper.  Two days later, she had a slumber party with 3 friends, plus Ashley and her.  We took them back to Gatlinburg.  We ate, walked down the strip, and went to play mini-golf.  Then back to the house for cake.  The next morning I fixed them homemade waffles, with fresh ground wheat. 

2 of our 4 Wacky Bears (technically one of them was a Wacky Moose!)

The Girls in Gatlinburg

In other news:  When Marissa and I were out a couple of weeks ago sitting on the deck swing reading, she spotted this little guy.

He's the caterpillar for the Banded Tussock Moth.

And, lastly, this is tired:

She fell asleep right there on the arm of the couch with 7 others of us standing right next to her talking and laughing.  I picked her up, took her upstairs, layed her in the bed fully dressed, and she never budged.  Not typical for her.  (And, you can see why I'm shopping for a new couch.)

   My big girls just got in from Bible study.  There are some interesting things brewing, so I"m going to get caught up.

Letitia

 

Celebration

Today is the 17th birthday of my beautiful daughter, Briana.  The self described Drama Queen of our home, it mostly applies to her enjoyment of acting, although a little of the other is present, too!  : )  Briana loves acting, singing, drawing, reading, writing, dancing (ballet, modern, etc.), piano (this is her 13th year), laughing and talking with her best friend and sister, Ashley, camping, and other family activities.  Briana usually just loves life.  From the very beginning she has been the bubbly one--bubbly and bouncy.  Sometimes I call her Tigger.  

    Briana is great at giving her Mama hugs for no reason at all.  I get lots of hugs just because we're standing in the same room together!  She has a very compassionate heart, and if I'm ever down or struggling, she is the one right there beside me with a hug or to just sit with me quietly. She's been that way since she was very little. 

    I am so proud of Briana's love for the Lord.  She gave her life to Him when she was very little, and has always followed Him.  She enjoys studying the Word, and hearing good sermons.  She is very strong in her feelings against sin-in her own life and that of others. 

   Briana has been a volunteer at an assisted living center for a few years now.  She has so much fun with those elderly people.  She is always coming in with a story and talking about how much they all laughed together.  She knows just how to talk to them and make them feel special, and how to laugh with them.  As someone who has no clue, I have such an admiration for that gift. 

   Please stop by and wish Briana a Happy Birthday!

                    I Love You, My Dear Briana !  

                           Blueberry Muffins! 

                            

(To understand Blueberry Muffins requires insider information!)

Sad News and Life's Other Happenings

Admittedly, we don't watch the news very often around here.  I glance at the national headlines once or twice a day on the computer, and we read WORLD magazine, but very seldom catch the local news.  I just don't think about it at 6:00, and it doesn't come on again until 11:00.  So, I just found out last night that my eye doctor, in an attempt to committ suicide, ran his car into a tree, which then bounced off into someone's house, killing a man inside.  This man has been my eye doctor for 15 years.  We have been there frequently over the last few years since 5 out of 6 of us wear glasses or contacts.  This is a man who seemed like the last person to attempt suicide.  I am still just shocked.  It's kind of like the feeling we had on Sept. 11, 2001, when the plane crashed into the Pentagon, and we had just been driving past it 2 days earlier.  It's just an eerie feeling.  I feel outraged, sad, and horrified.  Obviously, it's horrible what has happened to an innocent family.  They are paying dearly for someone else's problem.  I hope not to offend any victims with this statement, but I also feel terrible for the doctor's family, too.  They, too, are innocent and are paying dearly.  In addition to him being our doctor, Ashley also took ballet for several years with his daughter.  Although, probably 5 years older than Ashley, she was always very sweet and accepting of her.  Then, you just think, what could have happened to make someone fall apart like that?  Even though he was a dr., I don't think they had lots of money, like we think of drs. having.  They live in a very modest house and camp in a pop-up.  Both of their children attended expensive private colleges, though.  Was money an issue?  Was there an affair?  What was so bad, that a man could no longer cope?  I am pretty sure of one thing--that he is not a Christian.  I am not defending him in any way, so please if this is sensitive for you, do not take it that way.   He should have turned to someone for help.  I pray earnestly for God to turn this family's life around, and that the rest of his life, and theirs, will be spent serving the Lord.  I also pray for the victim's family for peace and comfort, salvation-if it is not there, and a forgiving spirit.  They have expressed that they will not forgive.  This is been so heavy on my mind since I found out last night, that I hope writing about it would help some.

I don't want to end my post on this note, so I will catch up a little.  It has been an eventful few weeks.  We went to Dollywood a couple of weeks ago.  One of the many perks of homeschooling is that you can go places when everyone else is in school.  The park was full of elderly people going to the shows, and a few families with toddlers.  We had the rides almost to ourselves.  In fact we rode so many rides multiple times that by later in the afternoon, the girls were beginning to get bored!  It was a fun day, though--especially not having to stand in line! 

Next, I think, was the Smoky Mountain Blogger picnic. You can see some photos here.  Our family had loads of fun!!  And it was great weather--beautiful blue sky, and not too hot/cold, depending on who you ask.  : )

The next day was Ashley's  party with some friends from church, plus Coie.

We had a backyard cookout and campfire, so we had some work to do to get it ready.  It was still a mess, though, because we are just about to reseed the yard, which means there were a lot of bare spots.  The day before and the day of the party, it rained, and rained, and rained.  So, we had a lot of mud.  Everyone was mostly on the deck, but getting to and from the house was a mess.  This was the first time that we have ever had guys at our birthday party.  There were just two from church, neither of whom are of any romantic interest.  This deal with your daughters growing up is giving life an interesting twist, though!    The next Wednesday was her actual birthday and my parents came over.  We all went bowling and to IHOP. 

The next day I had to take Briana to Knoxville (50 min.) to a natural allergy appt. and we stopped by a couple of stores.  I found 2 tops.  I desperately need a dress or skirt and blouse, or something, but no luck yet. 

My parents are camping in town this week and going to shows at Dollywood.  After it closed last night, they came over, and we cooked out burgers (with mashed potatoes), and sat around the campfire.  Did I mention that James built us a beautiful campfire ring before the party cookout?  We had been wanting to do one.  I love it.  I'll post a picture of it soon. 

I guess that about catches us up.  This Wednesday we have another birthday, so check back to see who it is.  I also have a very busy, hectic month this October, so it, too, will be quite eventful.  Pray for my friend Maria, who is about to have her baby any moment.

Letitia