Happy Thanksgiving

Psalm 95:1-6

"O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also. The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land. O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker." (KJV)

Psalm 100
"Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations." (KJV) 

Remember our troops who are not with their families.

Planning your 2013 Vacation? Check this out first!

The National Parks System has announce the dates for 2013 when there will be no fees to enter the parks.  Some parks are free everyday, but for others there is usually a charge.  Visit the National Parks System blog to see when these free days will be.  

Help Sandy victims

On a personal note, IDES is an organization I have worked with following the Joplin tornado.  I have been a team leader and taken volunteers in to work.  I will vouch for them 100%.  It is very rewarding to the volunteer, and very much appreciated by those in need.- The below is a copy of an email I received from IDES. -April "IDES has found a place where we can house teams of volunteers on Long Island. "It may be slower at first as we are getting projects lined up, but we can house 30 and will be working in various towns on projects for up to a year. The great part is their housing will be free." Call the IDES office if you want to send a group because we do not want to overwhelm this location with help. Be prepared when you call to give us how many people will be coming, for how long, what skill sets your team has, and what tools you can bring. IDES office : # 765-947-5100 If your congregation can provide overnight accommodations, or serve as a base of operations for volunteers in an affected community please contact us by phone or by email at: ides@ides.org Projects so far: - $25,000 to assist Nesconset Christian Church as they respond to needs in their community, the community surrounding South Nassau Christian Church, and several other low lying areas of Long Island. - The South Nassau Christian Church in Baldwin, NY (Long Island) suffered significant flood damage to their church building and parsonage. IDES sent $10,000 to aid with initial clean-up and recovery efforts. Additional funds will be requested after the church meets with their insurance adjuster. - IDES sent $25,000 in preliminary funds to Orchard Group as they respond to known needs among their church plants in Brooklyn, Manhattan and other affected areas. Orchard Group has representatives assessing the situation in surrounding communities. Once the need is fully known, they will present us with a longer-term response plan and request additional funds. - IDES send $2,500 to Pioneer Bible Translators International to help one of their translation associates who lives in NY and had flood waters to the ceiling of her apartment. Ways you can help: The best thing to do now is to give. Can you or your church give today to help with this crisis? Donate Online If you would like to donate by check or money order you can send your gift to IDES (Write "Sandy" on the memo line) PO BOX 60 Kempton, IN 46049-0060 If you cannot give please pray. You can help a family in need: Help A Family for $100 - We are working through local Christian Churches / Churches of Christ and missionary groups to bring help and hope to survivors of Hurricane Sandy. We recently got a request to help with a families basic needs. This family lost everything because their apartment was flooded. Nine feet of water was present in their apartment and everything was ruined. You can help families like this one get back up on their feet by donating $100 or your best gift to IDES. Help A Family By Clicking Here Please forward this message to anyone you think might be able to help. Feel free to post this information on your facebook and twitter pages. We will be posting updates as we receive them on our website at: http://www.ides.org/hurricanesandy.html and on our facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/International-Disaster-Emergency-Service/78027527419?ref=hl Thank you for your support, IDES -www.ides.org Contact Info International Disaster Emergency Service P.O. Box 60 Kempton, IN 46049 765-947-5100 www.ides.org IDES has found a place where we can house teams of volunteers on Long Island. "It may be slower at first as we are getting projects lined up, but we can house 30 and will be working in various towns on projects for up to a year. The great part is their housing will be free." Call the IDES office if you want to send a group because we do not want to overwhelm this location with help. Be prepared when you call to give us how many people will be coming, for how long, what skill sets your team has, and what tools you can bring. IDES office : # 765-947-5100 If your congregation can provide overnight accommodations, or serve as a base of operations for volunteers in an affected community please contact us by phone or by email at: ides@ides.org Projects so far: - $25,000 to assist Nesconset Christian Church as they respond to needs in their community, the community surrounding South Nassau Christian Church, and several other low lying areas of Long Island. - The South Nassau Christian Church in Baldwin, NY (Long Island) suffered significant flood damage to their church building and parsonage. IDES sent $10,000 to aid with initial clean-up and recovery efforts. Additional funds will be requested after the church meets with their insurance adjuster. - IDES sent $25,000 in preliminary funds to Orchard Group as they respond to known needs among their church plants in Brooklyn, Manhattan and other affected areas. Orchard Group has representatives assessing the situation in surrounding communities. Once the need is fully known, they will present us with a longer-term response plan and request additional funds. - IDES send $2,500 to Pioneer Bible Translators International to help one of their translation associates who lives in NY and had flood waters to the ceiling of her apartment. Ways you can help: The best thing to do now is to give. Can you or your church give today to help with this crisis? Donate Online If you would like to donate by check or money order you can send your gift to IDES (Write "Sandy" on the memo line) PO BOX 60 Kempton, IN 46049-0060 If you cannot give please pray. You can help a family in need: Help A Family for $100 - We are working through local Christian Churches / Churches of Christ and missionary groups to bring help and hope to survivors of Hurricane Sandy. We recently got a request to help with a families basic needs. This family lost everything because their apartment was flooded. Nine feet of water was present in their apartment and everything was ruined. You can help families like this one get back up on their feet by donating $100 or your best gift to IDES. Help A Family By Clicking Here Please forward this message to anyone you think might be able to help. Feel free to post this information on your facebook and twitter pages. We will be posting updates as we receive them on our website at: http://www.ides.org/hurricanesandy.html and on our facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/International-Disaster-Emergency-Service/78027527419?ref=hl Thank you for your support, IDES -www.ides.org"
Contact Info International Disaster Emergency Service P.O. Box 60 Kempton, IN 46049 765-947-5100 www.ides.org

Rebecca's Egg Experiment

Rebecca took a chicken egg, and soaked it in white distilled vinegar for 2 days.

Her theory was that since vinegar was  used to dissolve calcium buildups in household cleaning of bathrooms and kitchens, it would also dissolve the chicken egg shell.

At the end of 2 days, she checked it.  The shell was completely gone, and the egg was rather rubbery.  If you hold it up to the light, you can see the yolk and the inside of the egg.

 You can see the yolk in the center of the egg, as a light is behind it.  The shell is gone, and the egg is rubbery.

Kind of a neat homeschool science experiment that anyone of any age can do.  This would make a good experiment for younger ones for a science fair, such as the one in St Joseph MO every February for homeschoolers.  Soak the egg in other liquids and see if any other liquids can have the same effect.  We always here how bad soda pop is on our teeth, I wonder what would happen to the shell if an egg were soaked in soda pop?

Christmas!!

• 

Todays Project

I live in a fairly new house, but when my husband built it, he built it to look like an old farm house. (Only fitting for a house on a farm).  As a result, we have the thicker walls, great insulation and energy saving windows of a newer home, and the style of an older home.

Our home is full of antiques, many which we still use.  (That makes it easier during a power outage)  Some are from his family, some are from my family, but most are auction and flea market finds.

So, fitting in with the style of the house, and antiques in it, we try to add more character when and where we can--sometimes its in the form of a light fixture, or antique door knob.  One thing we have both always liked was wainscoting.  Been talking about putting some up for over 6 years.  I finally did some today, in the kitchen.  There are several other areas in the house that I would like to put more wainscoting (behind the kitchen door for one, where the doorknob hits the wall making a dent in the sheet rock).

Before--this is the kitchen color that a couple years ago my husband picked out. Yes, it is John Deere yellow. Had to be mixed special just for us.....But, a yellow kitchen is ok, and in one corner is a John Deere collection  so, it works.  Besides, I like a bright (ok, blinding) kitchen.

We used pine, and I put it up unstained.  Mainly I didn't have the patience to wait all night for the stain to dry, and I didn't want to go out in the dark to the barn to dig up the saw horses to make a work table, which probably were in use anyway.  I used liquid nails adhesive, and finishing nails.  This is 3 inch pine tongue and groove from Home Depot.

Rebecca helped with the staining.  I actually think it was easier staining it while up on the wall, than laying it flat .

Here is the finished project.  That's my potato bin in front of it.  When we pulled the tape off, we found a small bit of stain on the wall, but tomorrow after church I plan on touching up the paint in the kitchen as several places need it.

In case you wonder how I stand on the issue....

This is what we all looked like at 12 weeks in the womb. Legal to kill in all 50 states. Anyone think its not a person?

This is one of the very first things I consider about a candidate before I vote, at any level, even on the local level.  (After all, they all start somewhere, no one runs only for president, they work their way up).  This is murder.  A woman may control the health of her own body, but this is NOT her body.  It is a whole other body.  It has its own body, own mind and own soul.  No one, has the right to terminate that.  They mother is to protect, nurture and love, not to kill.


From the Family Policy Institute of Washington.

• 

Operation Christmas Child

This year our family is participating in Operation Christmas Child.  Operation Christmas Child is operated by Samaritan's Purse.  "Samaritan's Purse is a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world."


If you are not familiar with OCC, visit the website.  But, in a nutshell, people-like you and me, fill a shoebox with the contents directed for either a girl or a boy.  Then you pay $7 for the shipping of the box.  The box and its contents are then matched up to a boy or girl who is the right size and age for your contents.  Worldwide, children receive these boxes at Christmas time, along with a book about Jesus and God's love.  OCC directs you with suggestions as far as what to pack and what not to pack in the box.

All around the USA there are locations where you can take your packed box.  The website will direct you to the nearest location after you enter your zip code.  Boxes need to be at the pickup locations by November 19 to ensure delivery for Christmas this year.  However, you can send boxes at anytime through out the year for the following Christmas. 

9 X's the easy way

• 

Homeschooling in the St Louis MO area??

If you are a homeschooling family in the St Louis MO area, check out this link.  This is a website that lists a whole bunch of fun and interesting upcoming events for homeschoolers in your area.  You can also subscribe to it (its a wordpress blog) and receive updates as they occur in your email.

What is Veterans Day??

World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” - officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”


In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…"
The original concept for the celebration was for a day observed with parades and public meetings and a brief suspension of business beginning at 11:00 a.m.
The United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War I when it passed a concurrent resolution on June 4, 1926, with these words:

Whereas the 11th of November 1918, marked the cessation of the most destructive, sanguinary, and far reaching war in human annals and the resumption by the people of the United States of peaceful relations with other nations, which we hope may never again be severed, and
Whereas it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations; and
Whereas the legislatures of twenty-seven of our States have already declared November 11 to be a legal holiday: Therefore be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), that the President of the United States is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on November 11 and inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples.

 An Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a) approved May 13, 1938, made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday—a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as "Armistice Day." Armistice Day was primarily a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I, but in 1954, after World War II had required the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen in the Nation’s history; after American forces had fought aggression in Korea, the 83rd Congress, at the urging of the veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting in its place the word "Veterans." With the approval of this legislation (Public Law 380) on June 1, 1954, November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.
Later that same year, on October 8th, President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first "Veterans Day Proclamation" which stated: "In order to insure proper and widespread observance of this anniversary, all veterans, all veterans' organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the common purpose. Toward this end, I am designating the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs as Chairman of a Veterans Day National Committee, which shall include such other persons as the Chairman may select, and which will coordinate at the national level necessary planning for the observance. I am also requesting the heads of all departments and agencies of the Executive branch of the Government to assist the National Committee in every way possible."


On that same day, President Eisenhower sent a letter to the Honorable Harvey V. Higley, Administrator of Veterans' Affairs (VA), designating him as Chairman of the Veterans Day National Committee.
In 1958, the White House advised VA's General Counsel that the 1954 designation of the VA Administrator as Chairman of the Veterans Day National Committee applied to all subsequent VA Administrators. Since March 1989 when VA was elevated to a cabinet level department, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs has served as the committee's chairman.

The Uniform Holiday Bill (Public Law 90-363 (82 Stat. 250)) was signed on June 28, 1968, and was intended to ensure three-day weekends for Federal employees by celebrating four national holidays on Mondays: Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Columbus Day. It was thought that these extended weekends would encourage travel, recreational and cultural activities and stimulate greater industrial and commercial production. Many states did not agree with this decision and continued to celebrate the holidays on their original dates.

The first Veterans Day under the new law was observed with much confusion on October 25, 1971. It was quite apparent that the commemoration of this day was a matter of historic and patriotic significance to a great number of our citizens, and so on September 20th, 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed Public Law 94-97 (89 Stat. 479), which returned the annual observance of Veterans Day to its original date of November 11, beginning in 1978. This action supported the desires of the overwhelming majority of state legislatures, all major veterans service organizations and the American people.
Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls. The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to November 11 not only preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good."
From the US Department of Veterans Affairs.  http://www1.va.gov/opa/vetsday/vetdayhistory.asp

Emilee Irsik Found Safe in Germany

If you have been following the posts about Emilee Irsik, you will be happy to know she has been found!!
From her family and friends facebook page....

"We have wonderful news! Emilee's family is happy to confirm that Emilee is safe and with the German police at this time. We have no more information at this time. We are incredibly grateful for everyone that has joined in this effort. To everyone that has hung a flier, made a phone call, written a story or just said a prayer, our gratitude has no words. We don't know when she is coming home at this point or any other details but will keep you posted as we know more. Thank you!!!!! It's a great day!"

No reason given, no reason needed.  The important thing is she is safe, and her parents and family have great reason to celebrate. 

Being the mom to 5 girls, and living not far from her home in KS, we were following this story closely.

I voted. Did you?

Edmonds woman faces hair loss with humor, grace | HeraldNet.com - Life

This article is about my cousin Sue, from Indiana who now lives in Washington.  She has alopecia areata, a incurable autoimmune disease that causes hair loss on the scalp and elsewhere. 

Following our typical family attitude, instead of hiding from it, she uses it as a tool to help others who may have the same disease.

Edmonds woman faces hair loss with humor, grace | HeraldNet.com - Life

A Message for Emilee Irski

Emilee Irski, 

There are a lot (a whole lot) of people very worried for you and praying for you.  I am a mom, to 5 daughters.  I can not even begin to imagine what your family is going through.  

To worry about a child who lives away from you, regardless of if they are at college, in a different town, or even a different county is one thing.

But, to not know where you child is, or if they are dead or alive is another.  Its a feeling no parent or sibling or family member should every go through.

You are not in trouble, no one is angry with you.  We only pray that you are ok and can see this message.  We beg you to contact someone, anyone that you know and let them know you are ok.  If you need help, you will have help sent to you.   If you don't want to contact your family, you can send a note here, as a comment.  But, please also put something that only your family would know, to verify that is is indeed you writing.  

We are coming into the holidays, a special time for families.  I am sure your family wants no other gift than the gift of knowing you are alive and safe.  Please, send word.  

Daylight savings time ends tonight

Daylight savings time ends tonight - Set your clocks back 1 hour and change your Smoke and CO detector batteries

My Confused Garden

My garden this summer was disappointing.  Even though I watered, faithfully, the drought took its toll.  We didn't get as much as I had hoped we would.  Some things never even came up, or only gave one harvest, such as the peas.

We have already had our first heavy frost/light freeze.  The last time I was in the garden, it was dead.  All dead.

Tonight, I wandered over and found stuff sprouting, and stuff ready to be picked.  A whole lot of stuff was taking advantange of the recent rains and cooler weather.  So, until the darkness ran me inside, I picked about 10 lbs of onions, 15 lbs of carrots, spearment, peppermint, a bucket of brussel sprouts, peppers, some tomatoes (green, as the vines are dead).  My herbs are coming back-dill, cilantro and garlic.
There is more to pick, that we will get to over the next few days.  I will also be watching the weather and if it is to freeze soon, I will be covering the beds, as that is another advantage to raised bed gardening--so easy to cover.

Not sure how to vote??

Check out this site.  Its isidewith.com.  Basically you pick how you feel on certain issues (like taking a short quiz) and then at the end it tells you which canidates feel the same way you do.  This would also be a good one for the kids to take as you study the election and the issues.

Old Bo

Today we will be burying Bo, our oldest black lab.  He died while on night duty, protecting the chicken coop.  Bo was between 13 and 14 years old.  He was a good dog, but had been sick lately.  His black whiskers had long turned white.  We thought of putting him down, but didn't have the heart to as he still enjoyed life, and still gave his signature tail thump to greet us.

Bo followed the younger girls everywhere, and stood on lifeguard duty while they swam in the pond.  If they went out too far, he would bark for them to come back in, and if they ignored him, he would jump into the water and swim out to them.

Allie dog and Bo, 2009.  The girls had a "wedding" and married the two dogs...

Elizabeth, Allie and Bo (in his younger years) 2009

He was huge, much larger than the average lab, and had huge jaws. In this huge mouth, he would help carry up firewood.

He used to be a cat chaser, and when younger his favorite game was to chase a cat up a tree and not let it down.  However, with time, he mellowed, and cats became his friend.  Often, the kittens would curl up with him and sleep in his warmth at night.  He was lame in one front leg, as was one of our black cats.  He took a special interest to that kitten and they were pals.

Bo and kitten, 2012, taken about 2 weeks before his death.

In his younger days he could be spotted on the FFA float, but the last 5 years he was on the 4H float.  He was in several 4H dog shows and literally stopped one show by decided in the middle of it that it was nap time.

He could play fetch for hours at a time.  If a visitor showed up with a kid, he would take a piece of wood to the kid and drop it at their feet.  That was his way of saying "hello, lets play".  He could not play with a ball, as he would pop them each time with his huge teeth.

If given a plastic soda pop bottle, he would first take off the lid, then he would chew the rest of the bottle.  But, always the lid had to be removed first.

I think Bo knew he wouldn't be around much longer.  He had been training Duke, the next black lab in farming 101 and childcare 101.
He also taught Duke, that when JD was to BBQ, it was the dogs duty to stand by.  JD always had to cook extra hot dogs and "accidentally" drop at least one or two for each dog.  If you forgot to drop them, Bo would remind you.

Rest in peace Bo, you were sure a good dog.

Changing a headlight bulb on a 2007 Aveo with a headlight spring

This post has everything and nothing to do with homeschooling.

As homeschoolers, we teach our daughters to do a lot of different life skills, including auto maintenance   But, this one, we had to figure out on our own.

My 2007 Chevy Aveo had a burned out bulb on the drivers side headlight.  I called a dealer, who wanted $120 to change the bulb.  He would have put in the same bulb that I found at auto zone for $14, or a 2 pack of bulbs for $24.  Being the frugal homeschooling wife/mom that I am (aka cheapskate), I bought the 2 pack of bulbs, and figured I would change it myself.

It couldn't be too hard, could it???  After all, back in 1970 something, I took powder puff mechanics and learned to change light bulbs, oil, belts, unflood a carburetor, change the air filter, change a battery, charge a battery, check and fill all fluids......  Only trouble is, they don't make cars like they did back in 1970 something.

Chevrolet, it is NOT funny that you now have to remove the grill guard/radiator guard to change a simple headlight bulb.  This used to be a simple project, now its a major ordeal.  And your how to car manual??  Its for the birds when it comes to the headlight spring.

The manual tells you to remove the spring, it doesn't tell you to see how the spring fits first, nor does it have a clear picture of it (neither does anyone on the Internet), nor does it tell you how to put the spring back in, nor does it tell you it will fly off as soon as you touch the screw.

First step, assemble all your tools, including a good cat.  Why a cat?  You will need that cat once the spring flies off and you can't find it when it lands 10 feet away in the gravel.  If the cat had not jumped down from her perch on the engine and pounced on the spring, I'd still be looking for it. (nice kitty).

Anyway, I had to get the husband involved on this project, and we ended up having to remove the other headlight to study it see how to put the tension spring in.

This is what it should look like while together.  I thought this post might help someone else trying to find a photo of how its supposed to look, as I could not find any other on the Internet, and the drawing in the book is not clear.

Hopefully these pictures will help someone reset the spring.  FYI, if you notice, the spring isn't a normal corkscrew spring.  Its actually a almost square shaped wire, with some loops and corners in it, set under a screw to apply tension to hold the bulb in place.  Good luck!!

Needless to say, we got it done.  I still think the dealer charging $120 to do this is robbery, but I now understand why.

Today's Funny.....

I got this from Michelle, another homeschool mom.

American Girl Missing in Germany

I know several of my readers are in Germany, and I am asking you to check out this poster and keep an eye open for this missing American Girl.  She is from a university not far from my home.  Her family is very concerned and worried about her.  If you have any ties to Germany, please forward this information to them.  Somewhere, someone knows something.  Even if she is fine, her family needs to know this.

Emilee Irsik- Missing Person

Help us find Emilee!

Emilee flew on British Airways to Hamburg, Germany arriving on October 20. She was to return to Wichita on October 26. Unfortunately, Emilee did not board her scheduled return flight and she has not rebooked on a later flight. Her cell phone has been off since she departed Dallas, TX on the 19th, and all attempts to contact her via email, Facebook, etc. have failed. It is possible that she visited Universität Trier, Leibniz Universität Hannover (official) oder Bielefeld university in Germany. She has been listed as a Missing Person with the NCIC registry.

There is a facebook page, created by her friends and family for people to gather or leave information and ideas.  https://www.facebook.com/groups/emileeirsik/ , in Germany you can also check this one.   If you know anything, please send a private message to that facebook page, and if possible leave a way for them to contact you back --(name, address, phone number), there AND notify authorities of what you know or saw.  Include a way for them to contact you as well.  

From the Huffington Paper
"An international search is underway for a Kansas college student who never returned from a trip to Europe earlier this month.
Emilee Irsik, 20, left from Wichita on Oct. 20 and headed for Germany, according to WIBW. She was expected to return to the United States on Oct. 26, but she didn't board her return flight.
Irsik's family says that her phone has been off since she left, and they haven't been able to make contact with her.
"While it was very out of character for her to have made this trip in such a secretive nature, it’s very unlike her even more so to not return when she had scheduled herself to come back," Irsik's mother, Sherry, told the Wichita Eagle.
When she didn't return from her fall break, her roommate in Kansas reportedly notified staff at the university, who called police.
Friends say Irsik, who's studying for a bachelor's degree in German at Emporia State University, may have visited Trier, Hanover, or Bielefeld Universities.
A Facebook page has been set up to help find her. Anyone with information on Irsik's whereabouts is being asked to call ESU police at 785-341-5337 or the State Department at 202-647-4000 and ask to be transferred to the duty officer in Berlin."

Emilee is 5'4", approx. 125 lbs, light brown hair, and green eyes. She has triple ear piercings on both ears and a cartilage piercing at the top of one of her ears.

Emilee, if you can see this, please get word to a friend or your family.  They need to know if your ok, or get you help if your not. They love you and are very worried.

Prayers for those in the path of Sandy

Prayer for those who are in the path of Sandy.  Some sources are saying Sandy may be more destructive than Katrina was.  I have several friends who are expecting a visit from Sandy but they all seem to be prepared.  They have food and water stocked up, laundry all done,  food storage that doesn't require electric to prepare, blankets, some windows boarded up and more.

The soldiers guard the Tomb of  the Unknown Soldier during all weather.

I found this awesome picture on facebook.  Sadly, I don't know who to credit it to, as it had no name.

We don't get hurricanes in Missouri, so I can only relate to this as a huge tornado that lasts a lot longer, and with more warning.

This picture comes from WTNH News Channel 8, in  Milford, CT with 13-15 ft trampoline on power lines!

Battery Park, Manhattan. The center of the storm is still hours away...Photo by George Takei

We are following the hurricane as a science lesson for homeschool.  the National Weather Service has some great information under the education section for both teachers and students, as well as NOAA.

Seaside Heights, NJ - Another view of the coaster is now a part of the Ocean. Before the storm it was on the boardwalk that no longer exists  Photo by Mike Grol

Woo hoo

Another homeschooling mom enlightened me to SWAGBUCKS some time back.  I joined (which gave her some free points) and I have been taking the daily polls, a few surveys and using their search engine.  Once in a while I will order something by clicking through their site.  I spend maybe 7-10 minutes a day on it.  Well, it has paid off.

I just converted my SWAG points into Amazon gift cards-$45 worth.  Hopefully I will be able to get a couple more before Christmas, but its a good start.  (In fact, I already placed an Amazon order)

I also participate in MYPOINTS and have $30 in Walmart gift cards headed my way.

As pretty much a single income family (my husband works full time, I teach part time as an EMS instructor and work part time during the summer months), little things like $75 worth of gift cards 2 months before Christmas is a nice treat!

If you want more info on either program, let me know by sending me your email address and I will send you a link and an invite.

MO Dept of Conservation Program

Home Educators,

MO Dept of Conservation is partnering with the Mid Continent LIbrary in Dearborn, MO to offer a nice program on Mammals and hibernation.

The program is geared toward an age range of approximately 2 - 6 years old.

The program is focused on pre-school and homeschool kids.

Date: 29 November

Time: 10 - 11 am

Where: Mid-Continent Library, Dearborn, MO.

Questions:

Shelly Cox (C.I.G.)

Naturalist

MDC NW Regional Office

701 James McCarthy Drive

St. Joseph, MO 64507

816-271-3111 ext. 1442

There is another program scheduled for November 29^th from 10-11 AM, at the Mid Continent Library in Dearborn. It is open to homeschool, and preschool alike. The theme will be Mammals and hibernation. If you promote it to the list serv I would set the age limit at 2 to 6 years of age. I know that the library is promoting it towards the preschool children.

Cary D. Chevalier, Ph.D.
Professor of Biology,

Certified Wildlife Biologist

Department of Biology
Missouri Western State University
4525 Downs Dr.
St. Joseph, MO 64507
Ph: 816.271.4252
Email: cchev@missouriwestern.edu

Overnight Fun when you are one

Every once in awhile, it is important for a one year old to be sure that the big people know who is truly in charge.  One of the most effective ways to do this is to interrupt their sleep pattern.  Here is how this works.

First, at bedtime, act real sleepy and rub your eyes.  When asked by the big people if your ready for night night, agree and say yes.  Fall asleep for about an hour. This sets the tone so you can catch them off guard later, and gives you a quick rest for energy that you will need for the rest of the night.

After an hour, the big people are asleep.  Wait until you hear the biggest one snoring.  That is you signal to start your fun surprise.  Stand up in your bed and start yelling.  Start with yelling "hi" real loud in the dark house.  Then call each member of the house one at a time until you have woke up each one and they have told you night night, at least twice.  Then say ok, giggle and lay back down.

Take another power nap for an hour.

Wake up again.  It should now be around 1 in the morning.  This time, real loud start yelling for a banana.   Yell for it over and over, until you wake them all up (again) and they all again yell back at you night night.  Giggle again and lay back down.

When it is 2:30, yell for cookies.  After they are all awake again, fuss a little this time.  Act real put out when you don't get the cookies you called for.

At 3:30, call for anything you can think of to get them awake again.  I tried to yell for a cat and bubbles.  I did not get a cat or bubbles, but I did get them all to wake up again.  It was fun.

Take another power nap, but not until after you lay there and talk very loudly in your bed for another 30 minutes.

At 4:30, stand up and loudly yell "JD, tractor!!"  Repeat "JD, tractor" over and over until you have again woke up everyone in the house, except for JD, because he can't hear you for his snoring.  Get very mad and cry for 5 minutes because he did not give you the tractor ride you wanted....at 4:30 in the morning,

At 6 a.m., throw the bear, water sippy cup and your blanket all out of your crib, with a loud ought oh after each item is thrown.  Make sure they hit the wall or the door for an extra loud effect.  Then proceed to yell "help, help, help", until a big person comes and puts it all back into your bed, lays you back down, covers you back up and staggers out of the room back to their bed.  Then giggle because by now they look funny with hair standing every which way and tired red eyes from lack of sleep.

At 6:30, start to sing and hum, loudly, which is easy because the rest of the house is quiet, until you fall back asleep at 7.

At 8:30, get very mad when the big person comes and tells you its time to get up.  Tell her "no, my night night" and lay back down and close your eyes.  Grab a hold of the sheet so she can't pick you up.

And, that is how you let big people know that you are the one in charge...   And, as an extra benefit  the next day you get a shorter nap and they let you play harder when it gets closer to bedtime!!

The above is a guest post by baby E, a frequent guest in our home, who has always slept a nice 10-12 hour night at our house until last night...

For the proper method of eating lima beans,  read her last post.

The Grammar Police Strike Again

Lincoln and Lincoln

I ran across this article about the Lincoln family awhile back, and now the Homestead Survival blog has featured it as well.  I thought it fitting since the elections are coming up.

Do we ever think of the presidents AFTER they leave the office??  Or about their decedents ?  This interesting article tells of Abe Lincoln's family.

Just thought I'd share it.

The Adventures of Lily Lapp Video Trailer

Mary Ann Kinsinger is the author of one of my favorite blogs A Joyful Chaos .  She is also a book author.  Life with Lily is the first in this series, and it is now out in stores, or you can order it from Amazon.  You can also pre order the next book in the series as well.  This would make a great Christmas present for any younger girls on your list.  (FYI, its only 63 days until Christmas...)

Lizzy's Landing

Elizabeth has had a passion for flying since she took her first Young Eagles  (chapter 91) flight back in 2010 with pilot Chris St. Germain at the Lee's Summit Airport.  Since that flight we have been actively attending the Young Eagles events.  She has also learned how to read maps, studied the stars and is learning to use a flight computer.

Some of the pilots are beginning to recognize her as a frequent flier and as a result have been working with her and letting her have the control of the plane.  Until now she has basically done straight flying.  This afternoon however, with a dual control Cessna 182 she got to land and taxi down the runway back to the Young Eagles hanger.  She was very excited.

Did you know that when you taxi (drive) the airplane on the ground, you control the direction of the airplane with foot pedals? The stick (sort of resembles a steering wheel) is not used on the ground.  The same pedals are also used for the break.  Think you could drive your car only using your feet?  It would take a feat to do that!

Elizabeth at the controls

The plane she flew in today.

After she had her successful landing, we thought it fun to go eat at one of the Mexican Restaurants, Habanero's  in Lee's Summit--take a look at the picture of the restaurant and you will see why we picked it.

She kept her landing on the ground, unlike this plane on the restaurant roof!

Young Eagles is a program that is offered nation wide.  Click here for the national website.

Pumpkin Carving contest Clinton County MO

All are invited!!!

Pearls & Scissors: DIY Upcycled Socks from sweater sleeves

This is a neat way to recycle an old sweater...



Pearls & Scissors: DIY Upcycled Socks from sweater sleeves: I'm so excited to share this tutorial with you! The creation of these socks was like an "ahaa" moment. I have been trying to think of way...

Have stale bread or too much bread??

Make cheesy bread.  My kids love it.  Simply put shredded cheese (any kind) on top and pop it under the broiler for a few minutes.  Goes great with soups or on its own.  Today, it  is going with tomato soup for our lunch.

You can also use garlic bread as well.

Leftover bread can also be shredded up and froze for stuffing.

You can also cube bread, and brush with melted butter and seasonings and toast it to make your own croutons.

Or, as a last resort, feed it to the birds!!

KC area homeschoolers Skate Day

Hey everyone! We are having our roller skating this Friday from 1:00 to 2:30 at the Northland Rolladium in Liberty. Kids are welcome to wear costumes this month. Please keep the costumes little kid friendly, and above the skate line so they don't trip. Admissions are $3.50 a person, includes skates. 

Squaw Creek Fall Family Day

Home Educators,

Squaw Creek Nat. Wildlife Refuge is holding its Fall Family Day, this Saturday, 13 October.

Where: Squaw Creek NWR, near Mound City.

When: Sat. 13 Oct

Time: 10a - 3 p

Lots of stations with fun experiences:

Archery

.22 shooting

Tools of wildlife biology

canoeing

loess hills nature walk

habitat seminar

frog catching

fly fishing

bait casting

animal tracks and sign

duck maze

radio telemetry

GPS

Wildlife Capture Dart projector

Lots of things to see and do!

Great nature/biology/conservation field trip!

Cary D. Chevalier, Ph.D.
Professor of Biology,

Certified Wildlife Biologist

Department of Biology
Missouri Western State University
4525 Downs Dr.
St. Joseph, MO 64507
Ph: 816.271.4252
Email: cchev@missouriwestern.edu

Seasons

Summer is fading, and fall is arriving here in farmland.  The leaves are turning and falling.  Hopefully I have mowed the yard for the last time.  The garden is finished for this year, except for some cabbage which is happy to see some cool temperatures.  The corn (such as it was after this summers drought) has been taking in, and the beans are being worked on as I type.  Normally the cows get turned into the cornfields to graze, but not this year.  The nitrates in the corn are too high from the lack of summer rains, and for the cows to eat them would cause death.

Our family has been going through some of life's seasons.  In a 3 week period, we have or are about to experience 2 funerals and 2 weddings.  A friend is also expecting a baby, and another baby just arrived.  The past year our family faced that hard first year loved ones experience after someone passes.  We went through that year for 2 family members-gone, but never forgotten.  Some family friends of ours also faced that first year.  My husbands family is just beginning to face that first year as he lost his aunt last week.

Life goes on, just as the seasons continue to cycle round and round.  Sometimes life is rough and not easy, and sometimes the summers are hot and dry and the winters cold and wind.  Sometimes life is wonderful and sweet and we have gentle springs and perfect weather.   It is all as God planned it.

But, memories are still here.  Memories of better days, no sickness, holidays, dinners, stories and jokes.  Our mind plays pictures of the past daily.  Take pictures, write down the stories and memories.  Tell the next generation.  Pass it on down.

Kansas City area Scholarship Opportunities for Homeschoolers

VFW SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
The Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen programs are two of the exclusive awards that the Veterans of Foreign Wars has to offer. The Deadline for these scholarships is Nov. 1.

Contact Edythe Weber for complete details and registration information (816-830-0350 cell phone).

Prizes are awarded at the local, district, state and national levels, including cash, savings bonds, and scholarships.

Buddies on the farm

We have a old, old black lab, Bo.  He is lame after a run in with a UPS truck, and only has had the use of 3 legs for several years.

We have a little black kitten, who got up into the motor of my car and jumped out miles from home.  She was missing for almost a week when we found her beside the highway.  She was healthy when she disappeared, but lame when we found her.  A trip to the vet and a round of steroids helped some, but she still has only half use of one of her front legs.

Since the kitten got injured, the dog has become her best friend.  This is how they sleep when it is chilly.  Rebecca snapped this picture of them napping a few minutes ago.

The younger lab, Duke likes to chase the kittens now and then, and this one runs to old Bo for protection.   Duke won't dare chase the momma cat, as she will turn and slap his nose with her claws out.  More than once she has sent him off, whimpering and crying.