It's Getting There!

Well, I am getting there with this thing! If I make six more squares, I will have another complete row, and I think I shall do so. I placed the squares more or less how I wanted them, and then sewed 1 row and 1/2 of another. I will do a couple of double crochet borders when everything is sewn together, and then DD will help me to make a scalloped border with which to finish it off. I would like to make a couple of pillows with the left over yarn.  Do you have a favorite square?  When you see the whole thing in person,yellow stands out as a dominate color, but this photo doesn't quite capture that.

Last night after a great supper at Moe's ("WELCOME TO MOOOOOOEEEEEESSSSSSSS!!!")
with all the family, we kinda' went our separate ways. DS1 went to his weekly UNO festival with like-minded scholars; DS2 watched some of his favorite movies (he is feeling a little poorly with a bad head cold); DH curled up with Mamie and read; DD and I went back to school where I was able to spread all of these squares out on a long table. She worked on her new cross stitch project, and we watched Murder, She Wrote while we were working. A pretty good night for everyone.

Hope your weekend and the new week ahead are wonderful!

Lost In Space!

Do you remember this great television show? I grew up watching it like I did Star Trek and Gilligan's Island--every day after school.  No matter how many times I watched the episodes, they never grew old. When the DVD's came out a few years ago, they were a "pretty penny." We carefully shopped for each installment so that our kids could see what TV could be like. We have been watching them again lately, and I was struck by something that I took for granted as a child:  the Robinson children, especially Will, were respectful and responsible. The family members loved each other and they all worked together. They weren't perfect, and there was always Dr. Smith to throw the proverbial monkey wrench into any situation, but they were such a wonderful escape for the rest of us.

Families today, even on family-friendly networks, have smart-mouthed children, and usually the parents, especially the father, are made to look ridiculous. Yes, that reflects today's culture, but it doesn't have to be.  I am grateful for our children who are respectful and kind. These values need not be permanently lost, but I am not sure how to retrieve them. So much of it goes back to the fact that families don't worship the Lord together. His Name has been stricken from the schools, the organizations and now so much of the military. The author of Righteousness is a stranger in many homes. There needs to be a revival among Believers that spills over into the hearts of the lost.

Saturday Night

This was a great Saturday at our house, and an even better Saturday night. We managed to get some house and yard work done. The living room looked great and I made a small dent in the laundry. Dad and the boys mowed the lawn, and DD and I bought groceries. Lots of things were checked off the list. For supper, we had the family Saturday night favorite: hot dogs, hamburgers, homemade macaroni and cheese and homemade baked beans. I love the beans and macaroni together. Dad grilled the burgers and hotdogs on the grill; he always loves doing that. We then settled in and watched a great episode of Wagon Train. We had been watching Rawhide but thought we'd do something a little different this time. These great westerns are surely not realistic, but isn't that why we watch them?

Afterwards, Dad loaded us up (including the big white dog we now have) and took us to Wendy's for a Frostie. Wendy's gives discounts to students, staff and faculty of our little college, so that was a nice and inexpensive dessert for all of us. I think the dog would have liked one, too.

DH and I have been discouraged by the changes in our culture. Yesterday he said to me that he didn't like this world anymore and didn't feel as if he belonged. I agree 100%. But that is how we are supposed to feel. We are told to live in the world by not to be conformed to it. When we grow comfortable with a fallen world's values, we have forgotten what is right and wrong in the eyes of God.  I would much rather have a place in His Kingdom than in man's world any day!

God bless and keep you all as you serve Him and each other this week.

For My Friend, Barbie

Hey, Barbie. Had to post this to welcome you to the blog. Hope you are having a great week.

Lots of love! J

Still Here!

I am still here, friends. We have just been so busy, and there seems to be no way to slow down the train!  We have another week off this week, but it is already parceled out in commitments and crises. That is really not a complaint. I can't imagine this week's obligations were we still all in school. I have missed posting on the blog and commenting on others. If I have neglected you--sorry. I am really no busier than anyone else, just not very good at time management. I have not spent the time with the Lord that I should either. I can see the attitude changes that come with that kind of neglect!

Today, I want to "Bless my home" as FlyLady suggests on Monday, cook a really nice sit-down supper for the family and spend some good time with the kids--even if it is really mostly school work. We are together most of the time, but I always worry that I don't spend time doing things with them that I should. 

I would like to say a special good morning to my friends BRM, Miss Janice and Miss Sheila. You each inspire me to be a better person.

Our Trip To the Palmetto State

We we able to get out of town for the day, and we all decided to visit South Carolina.

We all were able to go to our favorite places--we will post more soon--here is Gertie on her way into Hobby Lobby!

I had to get some yarn to keep going on the afghan.  Gertie likes this soft yellow color. I do too.

Next Stop:  cross stitching and embroidery thread!  Gertie likes the J & P Coats best, but she also loves the DMC colors Hobby Lobby carries.  She had a great time looking at all the fabrics and sewing notions.  I bought a new crochet hook using my 40% coupon!

Music Festival 2013

That time of year again--Music Festival.  This event allows the instrumentalists and piano and voice students to perform selections for judges. We have done this for about 9 years now, but the kids still get nervous!  This year, for the first time, DS2 (far right) earned the First Place designation. DS1, the man with the tie, won 2nd place. DD was (at least to Mom) the most beautiful of all the participants.  Our dear family friend, Maurice S., placed 3rd. 

We are so grateful to be able to have music in our home. Our beloved teacher, Mrs. Ann, teaches the children much more than piano skills:  she teaches them about deportment, steadfastness, hard work and respect.  She is a blessing to all of us.