{life in general}

Dearie me, I have not posted in quite a while. Last month I got a job writing articles for a local newspaper and I have been adjusting to that. Plus, we've started gardening so there goes more time out of my schedule. At last I get to sit down and blog. I think I'll start with the newest and work my way back.

Last week my allergies kicked in and therefor I have been under the weather. Thankfully I am feeling much better and hopefully by tomorrow will be able to consider myself well. If only my ears would stay popped... Also, last weekend was our second English Country Dance! It went well and we learned a couple of new dances. Afterwards we went out for ice cream. Yum! Ahh, there is nothing like the company of like minded individuals that have come together for an ECD.

I have made a couple of darling (if I may say so) fabric covered bead necklaces and listed them in the Etsy shop. Here is a picture of the "Beatrice" necklace -

I think they will be a great accessory for the Spring and Summer with their cheerful colors.

And now for something that made me very happy. I had my first repeat customer in my Cafe Press store Helluo Librorum this month!!! Huzzah! I think it was the scream heard round the neighborhood. *laughs*

Last month I was approached by one of our friends at church, and a homeschool mom, about writing articles for the newspaper she owns. I agreed even though I had no journalism experience. But I figured a love of writing would make up for what I lacked in know how to start with. I am quickly discovering how much different reporting is than writing short stories, books and poems. And how much I rely on other people to help me. If my contact doesn't call me back or reply to my email, well I'm pretty close to up a creek without a paddle. What is with that anyway, not returning phone calls? Even if you don't want to be interviewed, tell me "no thank you," don't leave me hanging. Anywhooo... But I think the best part is all the things I'm learning about, not just people skills but random facts and more big picture puzzle pieces.

Now it's time for me to end this. I have to email my editor and do a little ironing. Blessings!

{amusing}

The last few days have provided some humorous happenings. Firstly, one of our neighbors has a new dog and it seems determined to go with them when they leave. You should see that dog gallop after them all the way down the road and around the corner. Then, yesterday evening while we were watching another one of these episodes, yes we are easily entertained, one of the other neighbor dogs decided he would chase the other dog. What a hoot! Recently our cat Sadie has found a new favorite spot to lounge. The leftover little dirtpile next to a Wisteria we transplanted last Fall. Plus with the added bonus of being able to take a dirt bath at the same time, it's her own spa. Sadie's antics never cease to make us laugh.

our Sadie cat

And just this morning Mama, in an effort to help protect our computer, turned of the script and other functions. So I get on to check out what's going on in Homeschool Alumni land and it keeps asking me if it is okay to run the scripts. On every single page! At first it was funny, until I was looking for something on you tube. Well you know that row of currently watched videos that rolls over every however many seconds? Uh-huh...yeah it asked for permission every single rollover which made it nigh impossible to type anything into the search bar. So I would click "yes", type the next letter, click "yes", type the next letter, etc, etc, etc. Bless Mama, she came in and fixed it. I love the everyday amusing things that make me laugh.

Now for some exciting news. I recieved my first check from my Cafe Press store Helluo Librorum! I'm lazy today, link is on the side bar. Huzzah! Plus I wanted to show you one of the things I made for our Etsy shop Some Spare Parts. Again, link is on the left. It's a wooden bangle covered with snippets from a "Pride and Prejudice" book. Don't worry, it was a junk copy I picked up at a garage sale for crafting. That was my only consolation in destroying a classic book.


Something else I've been enjoying recently is a Chris Rice DVD for his "Amusing" album. I love the songs "When Did You Fall", which is on the music player, and "The Final Move." I cried when I heard it. Yeah, it's that good. Awesome, inspiring and touching lyrics and beautiful music. Like C.S. Lewis was able to capture spiritual truths in an understandable format, "The Final Move" gives us a soundbite of truth. It reminds us that no matter what happens, there is hope and that God is soverign and in control. And nothing is a mistake. Things happen for a reason.

It was love that set this fragile planet rolling

Tilting at our perfect twenty-three

Molecules and men infused with holy

Finding our way around the galaxy

And Paradise has up and flown away for now

But hope still breathes and truth is always true

And just when we think it's almost over

Love has the final move

Love has the final move