tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23005649723998648002024-03-21T13:14:13.319-04:00MuchLikeHippiesThis blog is the story of two crazy adults and their four offspring who have to deal with the things their parents make them do in the name of good stories about God. It's not just about missions,or just about homeschooling, but the remarkable journey that is all of those things and more. It used to be about living in a 30 ft. travel trailer, but we wrecked it, so we don't move as much. Come travel with us! Nomad Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05100397481621753693noreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300564972399864800.post-41447956324548493842019-05-03T14:24:00.001-04:002019-05-03T14:24:19.077-04:002019 UpdateOh, what's new here? Let's see...<br />
Oh yeah- we are planning a wedding!<br />
<br />
The Giant will graduate in May, and in September, she's gonna marry this guy! <br />
There's a lot more I could say, but not today!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEzLftdnl6FYGljLQKCZ4nNKqazgQYG57ND0gYMQrLKsvzTWRoMOVJe0nFqS_F2peUs6XdnSFGaDZk5js2QfWius67rTgFCRaUnUQn0SJqseeDZ7ngA-x0eqCVGKMUNGsQPm01fw9ituI/s1600/55594221_2285090101704917_1523102704329555968_n+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEzLftdnl6FYGljLQKCZ4nNKqazgQYG57ND0gYMQrLKsvzTWRoMOVJe0nFqS_F2peUs6XdnSFGaDZk5js2QfWius67rTgFCRaUnUQn0SJqseeDZ7ngA-x0eqCVGKMUNGsQPm01fw9ituI/s400/55594221_2285090101704917_1523102704329555968_n+%25281%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
Nomad Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05100397481621753693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300564972399864800.post-43932062087758555692018-09-19T19:58:00.000-04:002019-05-03T14:17:21.816-04:00Vegetarian PotPie recipeI don't know what's gotten into me this week, but this is my second blog post after nearly two years of silence. But I thought that The Giant's friend Maddy might like to know this recipe and this is a good way to share it.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi9gw2HM7wyCjw2ycJNDVa6vvLgVQwNqfOIt465U8uWMj94Hv76pnuAwZ75K-qTtQ40bBvgFpnfp3VRQyn_FGOP70dRjP9nDTXiBJrMyepLMZScRoyCDbG8TzQTQgF6MJhXJRjAxvY64c/s1600/IMG_1153%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi9gw2HM7wyCjw2ycJNDVa6vvLgVQwNqfOIt465U8uWMj94Hv76pnuAwZ75K-qTtQ40bBvgFpnfp3VRQyn_FGOP70dRjP9nDTXiBJrMyepLMZScRoyCDbG8TzQTQgF6MJhXJRjAxvY64c/s320/IMG_1153%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a>A long time ago, my mom-in-law gave me an ANCIENT vegetarian cookbook published by the Seventh Day Adventists. It's from the 70's at least and it has a lot of miracle foods in it, which really isn't my jam but we got attached to this in our early days so I still make my version, and it's yum. The pot pie isn't in the cookbook that I know of but the crust comes from it.<br />
This amount fits into a 9x13 lasagna pan. Takes a little over an hour to make.<br />
<br />
Whole Wheat Pie Crust:<br />
1 cup whole wheat flour<br />
1 cup regular flour<br />
1 tsp salt.<br />
Stir with fork.<br />
In separate bowl or a container with a lid, mix:<br />
1/2 c. oil<br />
1/2c. very cold water<br />
Stir or shake until emulsified.<br />
Mix into dry ingredients. Stir with a fork until a dough forms. Roll out into a large rectangle between two sheets of lightly floured waxed paper.<br />
<br />
Turn the oven on to 350.<br />
<br />
Filling:<br />
1 10-12 oz. pkg frozen mixed vegetables<br />
3 10 oz. cans cream soups- potato, mushroom, mushroom with roasted garlic, whatever combo you like<br />
1 10-12 oz. pkg frozen chik'n like food- I like Quorn niblets but other brands work fine. You might want to cut them into smaller pieces.<br />
About 1/2 cup milk<br />
1/4 tsp. black pepper<br />
1/4 tsp. garlic powder if you used plain soups<br />
<br />
Mix these in a bowl and plop into crust. I mix them right in the crust, but that's a delicate process. Have at it if you want to.<br />
At this point I put the filled pan into the oven to start cooking the filling.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoJd9js_LQyOdpDaPWZxqMNv7Gq675e1yvE3yY7jnyMRUifgt-8efH0NRSVfui0-IrtbEu28UK04mY2NnJAbgSfrt6Cj1bXxm-ocaFjuBP1hzARez7w0Ti50AxHWbClCY0runU5b2DcM0/s1600/IMG_1148%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoJd9js_LQyOdpDaPWZxqMNv7Gq675e1yvE3yY7jnyMRUifgt-8efH0NRSVfui0-IrtbEu28UK04mY2NnJAbgSfrt6Cj1bXxm-ocaFjuBP1hzARez7w0Ti50AxHWbClCY0runU5b2DcM0/s320/IMG_1148%255B1%255D.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before it goes into the oven</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
In a bowl, mix with a fork:<br />
1 1/2 c. flour<br />
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder<br />
1 tsp kosher salt<br />
<br />
Melt in microwave for 50 seconds or stovetop:<br />
1 stick butter (1/2 cup)<br />
<br />
Add butter to flour mixture with<br />
1 1/2 c. half n half or whole milk<br />
<br />
This will make a soupy substance. Take the pan out of the oven and pour the goo onto the top of the warm filling. It will be soupy. Not to worry. <b> Turn the oven up to 425. </b><br />
Bake for 45 minutes until the biscuit topping is golden.<br />
To serve make sure you cut through the bottom crust with sharp knife.<br />
Serve with cottage cheese on the side.<br />
<br />
Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Nomad Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05100397481621753693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300564972399864800.post-51771518103587983682018-09-14T20:37:00.001-04:002019-05-03T14:19:24.756-04:002018 UpdateMany things have changed in our life as a family recently. I was here on the blog to find a recipe (1 of 3 available), and I thought that while I am here I would leave this little update. Maybe that will keep them from shutting down the blog while I am not looking.<br />
<br />
Current situation(s):<br />
We bought a house a year and a half ago. It's been a pain. We discovered it had no roof under the steel and rebuilt it with the help of some friends.<br />
<br />
After we moved, I got a job at the Fort Ann School, with the help of a friend. I am thankful for that opportunity.<br />
<br />
In May, I was hired by Saratoga Hospital as a part time medical coder. I had been working through coursework for a coding credential, and took a test in August 2017. It took me almost a year to get a job with a credential and without experience, and I had started to get nervous. But just in the nick of time God provided and I love working there. It is a long commute, and if we had known when we bought the house that I'd be working nearly an hour away, maybe we wouldn't have bought this house. So, I bought a Prius to make up for the added miles I'd be driving.<br />
<br />
Todd is still working at the South Glens Falls bus garage. In January, he was asked to take a full time job there. It was a mixed blessing, because even though he now had a year-round job and a 40- hour work week, even when school is out, he took a pay cut. He's also working with Sound Solutions of Saratoga and DJing weddings and other events. He's busy in a good way.<br />
<br />
We also continue to run Just Beautiful, our fair trade pop-up gift shop. It mostly runs around the holidays, and this season may be our last-with my new job and less free time it's hard to dedicate whole Saturdays to vendor events where we don't move a lot of product. So that's tapering down, and we will see how this holiday season goes.<br />
<br />
Hannah is in Los Angeles, CA. The two older girls had a fun but fast cross- country road trip in August to deliver her and her car, Moon Unit, to film school. We just watched her first 5 minute film, andc she's working on a longer one. I'm not sure if I can show it to you though so not posting a link here. This is her last semester in college, and is like a study-abroad program. She will graduate in December, at 20 years young. She had an internship this summer that led to a job offer, so she'll most likely be back in Albany by the new year.<br />
<br />
Bekah graduated homeschool in May and is now a Culinary Arts student at SUNY adirondack. Stop at their restaurant in downtown Glens Falls on a Thursday (after October 11th) and she will make your lunch! We are so grateful and astounded by all the friends who turned up for her graduation party and celebrated with us, sending her on her way to college. She works at Bistro LeRoux in Queensbury in a couple different jobs and loves it there.<br />
<br />
Asher is in the 10th grade. I definitely need to update his picture on this page. He's 15, and his interests include fruit trees and bees, piano and reading reading reading. He's considering college majors in the engineering field and taking some CLEP tests for college credits this fall.<br />
<br />
Serah is in the 6th grade. This year is middle school! It's a little bit of a test for all of us to keep her on track when I am not home with her and Asher as much. So far, so good. Her favorite subjects are literature/English. Serah is playing soccer with the local recreational league. That keeps us busy until October.<br />
<br />
Perspectives. Is on hold for a while. I found last semester that I couldn't be a class coordinator and do a good job as Area Mobilizer at the same time. So thinking about a class for next Spring, I didn't think I ought to be responsible for it. And the other trained coordinators in the area are also not at a place in life where they can do that job well and not sacrifice time that their families need. So, we are not running a class this spring. That doesn't mean we will never run another one here, but it means that we're taking a break. Another factor was the small size of the class we had last time. It seemed clear to us that a sabbatical was in order- but we will still talk about and promote and be in prayer for a future class when God says that it is time. It boggles my mind to think about all the people we influenced, motivated and even sent to the field from the 5 classes we were able to have in NY and VT so far- more than 70 lives impacted. I don't believe that's the end of what God is going to do through this class in the Upstate area. Stay tuned.<br />
And if you've made it this far, thanks for reading!<br />
<br />Nomad Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05100397481621753693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300564972399864800.post-50360416547160667012016-12-30T17:49:00.000-05:002016-12-30T17:49:07.359-05:00NYS Vehicle Safety, NOT Lemon LawsThis year, I had the pleasure of learning about New York State Vehicle Safety laws. It occurred to me recently how much I appreciated having some help along the way, so I decided to write down my experience so that someone else could benefit, as well.<br />
<br />
About this time last year, I finally agreed with Todd that it was time to look for a new car. Some of you may remember that we bought the Saturn at a bank auction back in 2010, when I crashed the Suburban on the Thruway. Tricia and big SUV's don't mix, and we no longer had a camper, so it was back to minivan land. But Todd never liked the thing. Among his complaints: it is terrible in the snow (true), it drops snow all over your seat when you open the door after a storm (also true), and it doesn't like to re-start when it's still warm from the last time unless you pump the gas pedal a little (also true, but who cares? It starts). Anyway, last winter we reached the point where I began to suspect it would start costing too much to keep it on the road (things underneath started to need repair), and it was time to go. We decided we would go shopping with our tax return money.<br />
<br />
Todd loves to shop for cars and let it be said he has a heart for underdogs. So we ended up at a very small dealership that shall remain nameless for the time being. One guy operation. They usually sell mostly handicapped vans, but they had a regular Honda Odyssey on the lot. We liked it. I noticed when we test drove it that it surged a little while waiting at lights/stopping, but I thought it was a quirk of the car. It did everything else. It was actually a little older than the Saturn, but it had fewer miles and a Honda was supposed to be a more reliable high-mileage vehicle than a Saturn. We weren't finding anything newer that was still in our price range. After two trips to this place that is further than I wanted to go, we bought the thing (third trip required for pickup).<br />
<br />
We were happy for about a week. It didn't take long for us to notice that the van had a shudder at about 2,000 rpms and 25-35 miles. It wasn't something we would have noticed in a test drive because we took it out on open road, not puttering through town. We called the dealer; he agreed to our having the surging bit fixed, and then he asked us to bring the car back so he could have the transmission looked at. He took it to a big dealership, He had them flush the transmission fluid, which can sometimes temporarily fix a shudder in the torque converter, but not always and not for long. It was also clear on the proof he sent me that he didn't actually ask them to look into the problem we had described. <br />
<br />
I took the car to Saunders Transmission in Argyle, who confirmed that the torque converter was the source of the shudder and said that the transmission might be ok for a while, but could also fail totally without much warning. Super. <br />
<br />
The dealer offered to take the car back, but he wanted to give us back less than we had paid for it for "mileage" since we had been driving it for a few weeks. We were willing to do that, but he wanted something like $700. We pushed back, and he ended up saying he wouldn't take the car back at all, the problem wasn't that bad, and we could file a complaint with Vehicle Safety if we wanted to. <br />
<br />
One of the men I work with happens to be retired from working for the DMV and he coached me through the process of filing a complaint against the dealer. He was also the one who told me I didn't have to let the guy take any money for mileage at all. He said that when he worked that job, he would only let the complainer pay mileage if the person was a troublemaker/being difficult. The bill of sale that the dealer signed actually warrantees the engine and transmission for 30 days, and we had proof from Saunders, etc., that we had identified the problem within 30 days. <br />
<br />
Over a weekend, I had looked into it and decided that we weren't covered by lemon laws. Lemon laws in New York State only apply to cars with less that 100,000 miles, and this one had 118,000. Sigh. But my co-worker said No, no, no! He told me to go back to the DMV website and look for a form called VS-35. Aha! With this form, I could make a complaint against the dealer based on that 30-day warranty.<br />
<br />
So, I filled out the form and mailed it in. I mailed it around April, 2016 after the work had been done to try to rectify the problem and we had failed to reach a satisfactory agreement with the dealer. We were conflicted about this, because we didn't really feel that he had known the car had a bad transmission, and tried to sneak it past us. I felt like maybe he just didn't have the cash handy to buy the car back, being a small dealership. I didn't want to be a jerk about it, but...I need a safe car and this was not cool.<br />
<br />
Luckily, we had not just sold the rusty trusty Saturn.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDwRotMIyoxy6QYXodDt8gNkDhI9p95miL5RVx2P6mVDobAq-rb-1xwAnDALaAIAb5p7NqZJgOcpD08d21Csco-MZDloY-viY9Mz6htPzqBj_GlwIW6QE0TGnMPOp86-iI4M-jqsgL4sQ/s1600/IMG_20161025_124134786.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDwRotMIyoxy6QYXodDt8gNkDhI9p95miL5RVx2P6mVDobAq-rb-1xwAnDALaAIAb5p7NqZJgOcpD08d21Csco-MZDloY-viY9Mz6htPzqBj_GlwIW6QE0TGnMPOp86-iI4M-jqsgL4sQ/s320/IMG_20161025_124134786.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
We had listed it, but not sold it. Instead we ended up fixing the wheel bearings and the brakes to make it safe to take on a summer camping trip, because we didn't trust the Honda. We basically stopped driving the Honda at all, because we didn't want to be stuck paying mileage for whatever we did do. Over the summer, Todd just drove it to work on occasion to keep the brakes from rusting up. Meanwhile, while we were camping the Saturn developed a large crack in the windshield that grew at an alarming pace. We discovered the windshield could not be replaced, because the crack originated at a hole in the frame, and no body shop wanted to fix that part of the frame, considering it too risky, *Sigh*<br />
<br />
Now, if you're paying attention at all you have noticed that I wrote up the complain in April and we were camping in the summertime. Yes. The only response I got from the DMV was a preliminary fact-finding call about a month later, and the person who called said that they would forward this to the actual inspector, and it might be six weeks. Over the spring, the gas pedal also got stuck so that the van gained speed as long as I wasn't pressing the brake, but it came out of that when I kicked it. (Yikes!) In July, I saw my co-worker and his wife at the mall and he gave me a phone number to a local office to call and check the status, which I did.<br />
The inspector assigned to my complaint very nicely looked it all up and told me that it would probably be another six weeks before he got to me, as he had x number of cases before mine and there were only x inspectors at his office, with 15 counties between them. That was in July.<br />
<br />
I got another phone call in SEPTEMBER. So 5 months had elapsed and we had basically had zero use of this car, while paying registration and insurance on it and continuing to keep the tan van on the road. We were pretty happy to see that inspector when he finally came to our house one morning to evaluate the car. We also began to suspect that the dealer had told us to "go ahead and complain to vehicle safety" because he knew we'd have to wait months for resolution, and probably thought we'd have disposed of the car by then. Well, he played the waiting game with the wrong person. Todd and the inspector went for a ride in the Honda, the inspector took photos of my file full of proofs, and Todd sent him a file of text messages from the dealer showing the conversation that took place. <br />
The inspector agreed that the complaint was valid (cue angels singing), got in touch with the dealer, and called me back with an offer. The dealer would a acquire a rebuilt, warranteed transmission from a shop in Brooklyn (the one in New York City), and have it installed locally. We could bring the car back to him and he'd get that done. If we agreed with this, the Inspector said, it was the best resolution he thought there could be. He couldn't really force the dealer to but the car back if he was offering to fix it. So we agreed. That was September.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-6BC36fSeuieMlZ7CyU89_78vJxgmpL3TOhRCvskEeBtqasIGegFmmkiOgPpqQD7Q5yOGYvDeGPRhETK24aBVfJF0P4B52dpuWYuT5rJNQeKrgIxFMCTnPDNFX6knh35ujf2csK08lhw/s1600/IMG_20161120_130218908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-6BC36fSeuieMlZ7CyU89_78vJxgmpL3TOhRCvskEeBtqasIGegFmmkiOgPpqQD7Q5yOGYvDeGPRhETK24aBVfJF0P4B52dpuWYuT5rJNQeKrgIxFMCTnPDNFX6knh35ujf2csK08lhw/s320/IMG_20161120_130218908.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We managed to watch a parade from the back of the van during the few days we had it. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The moral of the story: If you buy a used car and it has problems, document well in the first 30 days. Make a complaint on a form called <a href="https://dmv.ny.gov/forms/vs35.pdf" target="_blank">VS-35</a>, found here. Be prepared to wait.<br />
Upstate New Yorkers, have you ever wanted to drive to Vermont to buy a car and been told not to because there are no warranty laws over there to protect you? Well, now you know what the warranty laws in New York will do for you. Not a lot unless you have time on your hands, which most of us don't if our car goes kaput. DMV inspectors are extremely under-staffed.<br />
<br />
<br />
And. We still own both vans. <br />
The rebuild has failed. Twice. The Honda has been in Brooklyn since Thanksgiving.<br />
Now instead of a shudder at 25mph, we had a van that dropped out of Drive into Neutral when we slowed down at lights, and even just in traffic. So NOT COOL. The dealer is now 10X as frustrated as we are because he has put, he says, $3,000 into fixing this van and it's still not right (he did fix the revving at lights throttle issue). At last call he said the shop in Brooklyn was denying a problem, and he told them to replace the transmission anyway. I actually called the Vehicle Safety inspector again a few days before Christmas (co-worker said to) because I was so frustrated that my minivan was still lurking in a shop in Brooklyn and nothing was being done. My complaint had been closed (during the first two days we had the van back and it hadn't yet tried to kill me in traffic), but he would give the dealer a call anyway and find out what was up. It sounds like he did that and then actually had a Brooklyn inspector give the shop down there a call, too. We were supposed to possibly get the car back today, Dec. 30th. No sign of it. We've put less than 3,000 miles on the van in 9 months, all the while paying for registration and insurance on a van we couldn't drive. <br />
<br />
<br />
Nomad Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05100397481621753693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300564972399864800.post-10081096587046368262015-12-01T18:52:00.001-05:002015-12-01T18:52:05.282-05:00Family Update- Part I<div class="MsoBodyText3">
<span lang="en-US">Because we had for so long written these letters for our family, friends and prayer supporters to tell you of our progress towards the mission field, it’s tempting to stop sending them now. We’re still the same people though, with the same loves, and we believe you still care about us, so here’s an update on what we’ve been up to. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText3">
<span lang="en-US">In 2013 we attended Annual Conference with our mission agency, and at that Conference, we resigned. Each time our resignation came up on the agenda, something happened that pushed it back, hour after hour. By the time our team voted to accept our resignation, I had become a teary mess and headed back to my room to clean myself up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText3">
<span lang="en-US">It hurt to walk away from WEC for a number of reasons. We loved that location and the people at the sending base, and wanted to walk alongside them as they elected new leaders and moved ahead in key areas. More than that, leaving WEC sealed the fact that we’d given up on our dreams and plans to live on a foreign mission field. That HURTS. One sweet friend who went through Candidate class with us and happened to be on the sending base that week, back from her first assignment, saw me on campus watching the kids and asked me how I was. I answered politely that I was “fine,” but she didn’t accept it. “Don’t lie,” she said, smiling. “I know you’re not fine.” How I appreciate that God sent a sister who had recently seen her share of pain and disappointment, with whom I could grieve honestly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText3">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfRwY8e_11TU0KAW5o3x4k5cipN_rW9J-G7t1PAElToovCKYFvatGiDj9oH9zujpf6LDEfbJX6x_BgybQodVsBxHwC74b0tGz4aDudh1AovaoaRtlKy40Wt7G-IWCYmde9Sj0n2pLzRn0/s1600/Picture1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfRwY8e_11TU0KAW5o3x4k5cipN_rW9J-G7t1PAElToovCKYFvatGiDj9oH9zujpf6LDEfbJX6x_BgybQodVsBxHwC74b0tGz4aDudh1AovaoaRtlKy40Wt7G-IWCYmde9Sj0n2pLzRn0/s320/Picture1.png" width="183" /></a><span lang="en-US">But we have moved forward in our grief, and I even visited the WEC campus again r last winter and again in the fall, something I thought I would never want to do because of my grief. Psalms 147:3 says of God, “He heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds.” Later in verse 11 it says, “The Lord delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText3">
<span lang="en-US">That is what we have had to do in the past two years since we made the decision. With no idea where to turn with our gifts, talents and desire to serve God and see His Kingdom grow, all that we could do was hope. We hoped that God had better things in store for us. That He didn’t simply keep us home because we are not adequate to the task of missions or because, as some have said, my Mom was about to get very sick, or for our kids’ needs...rather, we simply had to believe, to hope, that He had a better plan for us. I will ev</span></div>
<!--[if gte vml 1]><v:rect id="_x0000_s1028" alt=""
style='position:absolute;left:405pt;top:211.5pt;width:176.88pt;height:309pt;
z-index:1;mso-wrap-edited:t' o:preferrelative="t" wrapcoords="-184 -77 -184 21644 21692 21644 21692 -77 -184 -77"
filled="f" stroked="f" insetpen="t" o:clip="t" o:cliptowrap="t">
<o:clippath o:v="m-184,-77r,21721l21692,21644r,-21721l-184,-77xe"/>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Tricia\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.jpg"
o:title="tumblr_me8wvgL3c11qhmhdfo1_500"/>
<v:path o:extrusionok="f"/>
<o:lock v:ext="edit" aspectratio="t"/>
<![if pub]><b:otyEscherText type="OplPo" oty="1" oh="286">
<b:FUserChangedFmt priv="200">True</b:FUserChangedFmt>
<b:FMoved priv="300">True</b:FMoved>
<b:Txwp priv="402">2</b:Txwp>
<b:Oid priv="C05">(```````````</b:Oid>
<b:OidAssociated priv="D05">(```````````</b:OidAssociated>
<b:Qtf priv="3404">0</b:Qtf>
<b:DxlMax priv="AA04">2246376</b:DxlMax>
<b:DylMax priv="AB04">3924300</b:DylMax>
</b:otyEscherText>
<![endif]>
</v:rect><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><div class="MsoBodyText3">
<span lang="en-US">en say that those nearly eight years since we sold our house and became nomads for Christ, bounced from job to job, and even had a terrible, major truck & camper accident, were not wasted but parts of His plan and purpose for our lives. We may never understand how He will use those things to shape us, although I see glimmers sometimes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText3">
<span lang="en-US">More than two years have passed, and I do wish I were writing today to say that, aha, we see it now and know where God wants us to go and what He wants us to do. But we don’t see or know. How we’d like to! We’ve run up to a few more dead ends looking for God’s will. I won’t pretend it’s easy to live like we do right now. We continue to grieve. We’re in a better place financially that we had been in quite some time, but still rely on Todd’s parents letting us use this house, to make ends meet. We’re thankful for the jobs & opportunities God provides, but still long for more meaning and purpose in the daily grind. I hope that as I write you can hear my heart as I try to balance gratitude and trust with this longing for meaningful work and a home of our own.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Nomad Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05100397481621753693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300564972399864800.post-40614813343219823422014-08-21T17:24:00.000-04:002014-08-21T17:38:16.986-04:002014-2015 Homeschool Reveal<div>
<br /></div>
Here we are, at the planning stage of a new school year!<br />
Actually, my planning probably started last March, when I had tax refund money in my pocket and catalogs arriving in my mailbox. But in another sense, I'm making very few changes this year, so there wasn't as much "plan" to it as usual. Nevertheless, here it is:<br />
<br />
The Sleeping Giant is the one who is Changing.it.up this year. I'm being cheated of my last year at home with her as well as her last year of school, because she's decided to finish early *and* she's doing half her stuff in dual enrollment. I'm teaching her hardly anything! :(<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheQNf_89uTnXKFLiQgca0hPjgnYTEJun0Qg32ozcOXLpHrWS2MniR9mLWOgh4dXMgHtCYc729Js3-vN7Hsq-y0RQZQUtrhhOyv5-aR1vxGcXpELx9JbU8orCu2fOhi_yEtZmk3D51V8hk/s1600/106_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheQNf_89uTnXKFLiQgca0hPjgnYTEJun0Qg32ozcOXLpHrWS2MniR9mLWOgh4dXMgHtCYc729Js3-vN7Hsq-y0RQZQUtrhhOyv5-aR1vxGcXpELx9JbU8orCu2fOhi_yEtZmk3D51V8hk/s1600/106_0002.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
At the start of the year in July she had two English credits left to get, both of which will be taken at the College. Intro to College Writing happens soon, in Summer Session 2 which starts in two weeks. She'll take another English credit in her Spring semester at the college.<br />
She also has two History/Social Studies credits left to get. One of these is the combination of Economics & Government, which she'll take at our local co-op, whether she wants to or not! I'm thankful that this teacher makes this class available, and I enjoyed the one I sat in on (I didn't help) last year, so I think that will be great. Her books for that aren't shown in the picture, because I don't have them yet. The second History class is going to be a Western Civ. class in the Fall semester at the college.<br />
That takes care of the things others are teaching her and her requirements. I was going to let her stop taking Math and Science now that she has accomplished what the State of NY requires, but she decided on her own that colleges would want more, so she's taking more. Teaching Textbooks Math has worked really well for her and for me; I don't do anything, which is in an improvement over re-learning algebra so I could discuss it with her a 10 pm, which is when she likes to do math. That arrangement just wasn't working for me! This series allows her to work at her own pace and on her own, and her grades are better. Special thanks to my friends, Katrina for allowing us to try hers and Susan, for selling me the next one in exchange for Chinese lessons.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
For Science, the Giant has also decided on her own to take a shot at Physics. We picked Lifepacs. I have some experience with Lifepacs and I while I didn't love it, I feel like it would be ok to use for a self-motivated older student for some electives, which is what this is at this point. I had to spend some money on materials for experiments, but I didn't mind doing that because experiments are what makes Science fun.<br />
And finally, because she realized that colleges want 2-3 semester of language credits, and because every year we try to do Latin and don't, she's doing German by herself with Duolingo and other resources we're picking up at the library. Her goal here is to eventually take a CLEP test. <br />
Hannah will be continuing with Violin lessons for music credits, and needs two half credits of gym this year. Her Hapkido commitment has always been enough for her to get the half credit each year, but since she's trying to do two years at once, she applied for some financial help to get a Y membership so she can take up Yoga or some other classes. <br />
<br />
<strike>Just for fun</strike> She's also doing PSAT and SAT prep books as time allows, because those tests are looming in the fall of this year. The idea of graduating a year early and doing two years at once came upon us just this spring, otherwise we probably would have taken the PSAT last year. Live and learn, this kid is my experimental one.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeiLCFxhiYFuRk8UY6xNQgnfapqIcIwSgEJAR2VxCeMgzdkb8D1SgLUU_GE3fLpefHr0GfBKWzo7lR_gMT7B_bOOph3cVpfgP9K3AsUIVG-Ye8SMPGLPUqp71qsDttw39mH0wP_DQjez0/s1600/106_0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeiLCFxhiYFuRk8UY6xNQgnfapqIcIwSgEJAR2VxCeMgzdkb8D1SgLUU_GE3fLpefHr0GfBKWzo7lR_gMT7B_bOOph3cVpfgP9K3AsUIVG-Ye8SMPGLPUqp71qsDttw39mH0wP_DQjez0/s1600/106_0003.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
The Girls who Loves to Be Blogged has a light load this year. Her interest in athletics (soccer and tae Kwin do- she'll be a 2nd degree black belt by spring) made it hard for her to get her classes done last year, so I made this first year of high school a no-electives year. She will be playing soccer with a local Christian school Aug.- Oct., and the rest of the time spends 6-10 hours a week at her do-jang. I'm all for letting them focus on things that they love, but some coursework is required and I want to see her be successful in the classes she does take. So, her load this year is English, History, Science, Math, and Gym. That's it. If she's doing well, I might throw in her Health course in the second half of the year (another NYS requirement sometime in high school). <br />
<br />
Let me just say here that when I decided to switch to<a href="http://www.tapestryofgrace.com/index.php" target="_blank"> Tapestry of Grace as the core of our homeschool</a>, I envisioned having everyone do it together all the way through. Just as it makes me sad that The Giant is doing her History and English credits at the college this year, it also makes me sad to say that Tapestry just isn't quite working out for The Girl. Tapestry is a literature-based curriculum; the Girl is not a big reader. More importantly, she's not an independent learner. She's a <i>social</i> learner. <i>What? </i> And, worse for me, <i>she doesn't like history</i>. *Sigh.* Anyway, this past year she participated in an on-line co-op via Tapestry for History, Literature and Writing. We've been with this co-op for three years. By the end of the year I became convinced that she wasn't learning much. I don't mean to criticize any of the other families in our co-op; this is just a learning style issue. If they were here live and in person, she probably would have done better, but it was just too easy for her to tune out in the on-line environment. And so, I'm making some adjustments to my beloved Tapestry.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiUvEUZzSPk5FHP1giKP1kFxUzMmcrxrwrIAemJ8mc3wZGJ8kz1m_Nt5GK4xm1oKPVMZ6r5Glm9e37JTGAtdCuq39E8jS4UTAslIRhg78EM3d1ePNRy0AU2ELtnMqgVto-NGgtdV7lXDE/s1600/tog1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiUvEUZzSPk5FHP1giKP1kFxUzMmcrxrwrIAemJ8mc3wZGJ8kz1m_Nt5GK4xm1oKPVMZ6r5Glm9e37JTGAtdCuq39E8jS4UTAslIRhg78EM3d1ePNRy0AU2ELtnMqgVto-NGgtdV7lXDE/s1600/tog1.jpg" height="200" width="195" /></a>Speaking of Tapestry, we're coming back to Year 1 this year. This will be my first repeat of a year. I will have one LG student and 2 dialectics, which is also a first for me. I'm already getting a little confused checking over my book lists because I am so used to getting ALL the books for every level, but that's all changed up this year. The books you see are just a sampling of the ones I have purchased and currently have out from the library. As you can see, those stay the same when I switch from The Girl to The Mayor.<br />
<br />
So, for History we are continuing with Tapestry of Grace, but I will lead the discussions at home with The Mayor. They will both be in dialectic. In the picture are some of the books that are part of our history studies. The Girl will be doing her Writing/Literature at our local co-op with the same teacher that teaches The Giant's Econ & Govt class. We had a chat and she said that I can sub in some books from Tapestry lit when the kids have a choice. We will also start our Tapestry year about a month sooner than co-op begins, so The Girl can start and finish the year with my selections from ancient history. I am hopeful that a live class full of her friends will be beneficial for keeping The Girl on track this year. This is my plan for doing Tapestry but seeing her get a little more work done. For Science, she'll be doing Apologia Physical Science at local co-op. For Math, I've got the Saxon Algebra 1/2 book but I've also got some concerns about finding time to sit with her every day while she works through it. If someone wants to volunteer for that job, they can have it. This year that we've just finished was a tough one for math, and that's all I am going to say about that. <br />
Gym class is more than satisfied by the hours she spends in soccer and tae kwon do.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8kbYn6cJtExEbEowVuAuyhj-i6Zc01LymT1wQYotzbnCL3ywU6BaYW0IZCulnQZwzbb2gN1-HYxQWCzHSHDERDfzkmrkXLbiA4gqLWwqSCXI5JGjtwAEi6rd5pGfEIHwVc5eYfobdma0/s1600/106_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8kbYn6cJtExEbEowVuAuyhj-i6Zc01LymT1wQYotzbnCL3ywU6BaYW0IZCulnQZwzbb2gN1-HYxQWCzHSHDERDfzkmrkXLbiA4gqLWwqSCXI5JGjtwAEi6rd5pGfEIHwVc5eYfobdma0/s1600/106_0004.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>The Mayor, as I already said, is moving from Upper Grammar to Dialectic this year. He's a big reader so I'm hopeful this will not be a big deal for him. We'll have weekly History discussions with The Girl. He's also doing the on-line co-op for Literature at the Dialectic level. To round out his English class, we will be using Rod & Staff English 6, and we'll use that for Writing as well. I have been skipping the Writing portion of Rod & Staff or using it only to supplement the Writing assignments in Tapestry, but he finds Writing such a struggle that I am just going to stick with Rod & Staff Writing this year. Even if he just has the impression that it's easier, because I am not sure that it is, it might help his attitude. The final piece of his Language Arts pie is Spelling Power. Tapestry also includes a Church History component that he will do, but I'm also teaching a church history class in local co-op that he wants to participate in. <br />
For Math, he'll be in Saxon 8/7 (we use older versions, I believe Math is Math and I'm too cheap to worry about the newest edition). What else? For Science he will be doing the new Apologia Chemistry and Physics for Elementary ages. This will likely be his last year in the Elementary series and he has done all of the Apologia series except Land Animals. He'll be doing General Science next year. Finally, The Mayor will continue Chinese Studies with the Go! Series 200 book. I teach that, and this year we had another student come study with us, but that student is going to a private Christian School this year and won't have time for this. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3lhjt_kNZfXM_Q2neSJlKykWFEl1_rAvl673oY33GrU6kWEopWe2CLvOV2squTn2sytvniEaexEiSVU5MXP9lmV_Hir63sDEkEDk0PQS0YzXZxRTJv2_MJlg1wRtnvyqkmTzdNa1Xxfg/s1600/106_0006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3lhjt_kNZfXM_Q2neSJlKykWFEl1_rAvl673oY33GrU6kWEopWe2CLvOV2squTn2sytvniEaexEiSVU5MXP9lmV_Hir63sDEkEDk0PQS0YzXZxRTJv2_MJlg1wRtnvyqkmTzdNa1Xxfg/s1600/106_0006.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
The Little Princess is getting serious in her studies now that she's in second grade. We are about 1/3 of the way through the Saxon 2 Math book. She finished Explode the Code 4 this year and is a pretty stellar reader at this point, so I don't plan to continue with Phonics. She's also about halfway or more through Rod and Staff Spelling 2, so once she finishes that we will move to Spelling Power. She's very excited to be in the Rod & Staff 2nd grade English book this year. (As an aside, I think starting from the beginning is the only way to do Rod & Staff- it's a pretty intense series, although I will admit we skip some of the lessons that seem to be geared toward addressing redneck grammar issues like double negatives, etc. You could possibly start it in 5th grade, but no later than that if you want to use the upper level books. Some people I know also recommend doing half a book per year after 5th grade.) She definitely needs to do more writing this year, and I also got her a handwriting book. In addition she will participate a bit more with Tapestry this year, completing maps and reading in her Bible. I think I will be using Story of the World, which is an Upper Grammar alternate resource, with her for much of it because my library system is short on ancient history resources for her level. For Science, The Little Princess will use Apologia Botany, which dovetails nicely with Tapestry Year One, as well as taking part in a Science class at local co-op. That reminds me, she's also participating in a US Geography class, a missionary heroes class and God's World News class at co-op.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn_9EwyOEbBisE6S7XyNYSZAJS9c0GATTk2LzvKs8pcfIdac8rFTHcQyCnhXTsvSf01jztoNPxTP-sP2fo7FwMQCDSXIkwB7eSIzVkP1dZUyYbrG4dBo3c8X3IezzkiP1GBYBopbMy95Q/s1600/106_0007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn_9EwyOEbBisE6S7XyNYSZAJS9c0GATTk2LzvKs8pcfIdac8rFTHcQyCnhXTsvSf01jztoNPxTP-sP2fo7FwMQCDSXIkwB7eSIzVkP1dZUyYbrG4dBo3c8X3IezzkiP1GBYBopbMy95Q/s1600/106_0007.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><br />
Finally, just for balance I am including a picture of all the teacher's aids and guides that I will have on my desk. <br />
It's missing the math guide for The Mayor because we're still using it for The Girl, and after I took the picture I turned around and saw it on the hutch. Perfectionist, I ain't.<br />
The purple binder is where I store about three weeks at a time of Tapestry notes that I'm using for planning and discussions. It goes back and forth to the library with me because it has the book lists in it. <br />
For my next post, I might show you my color-coding madness.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Nomad Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05100397481621753693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300564972399864800.post-56819498663199429552014-06-04T13:44:00.002-04:002014-06-04T13:44:32.818-04:00Summer Opportunity Overseas<div class="MsoBodyText3">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3El5O79GY5M0bX0cIbDgoO7r23dqnmqh2wJjNKTuR3BSQEFkIzvElwSxkoBzVRK88-9JXNkYxnYwUVH85wkm0GzPtfw3LZ-GDyKiZdfJzo8opO6wCx5DIdrAUd_Mj9vIduEU-1D58NKQ/s1600/Tour1+-+RGB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3El5O79GY5M0bX0cIbDgoO7r23dqnmqh2wJjNKTuR3BSQEFkIzvElwSxkoBzVRK88-9JXNkYxnYwUVH85wkm0GzPtfw3LZ-GDyKiZdfJzo8opO6wCx5DIdrAUd_Mj9vIduEU-1D58NKQ/s1600/Tour1+-+RGB.jpg" height="320" width="217" /></a><span lang="en-US">We recently got a request for Todd to come along for a tour or two in Turkey this summer. He is beyond excited to be able to accommodate this request at least once. The official dates are a little “soft” at this time but it will be about June 23rd– July 9th. The tour begins in Diyarbakir in the south near the Syrian border. Todd has been there once before. The artists for the tour are a hip-hop/rap group CTZN . Yes, they will share the gospel with rap music.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText3">
<span lang="en-US">A skilled soundman is a great thing to have for a hip-hop tour, as it’s a genre with specific needs. But there’s a second important role Todd will play this time, as well. They like to have him drive the tour/equipment busses, and this year that ability is especially needed. One of our other team members is temporarily without the commercial driver’s license required to drive the van and his licensing test has been delayed. Since Todd’s been driving a school bus this year, his New York State CDL allows him to drive that van while in Turkey. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText3">
<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">A second tour</span><span lang="en-US"> is available to him in August. This is with NLM, No Longer Music, a rock drama group that has been going on these tours for years. He would run technology and help drive for that tour as well. Whether he goes on that trip depends on whether he can get the needed time off from his summer job, and whether we can get the necessary financial support. If you’d like to help, please let us know. We’d also like to hear from you if you would consider going along as an artist or crew member.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText3">
<span lang="en-US">These tours are often nebulous things. Dates change and weather, politics and public opinion change rapidly. The team will need to be flexible and ready at all times. A list of prayer requests can be found on the left.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Nomad Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05100397481621753693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300564972399864800.post-13663208333485502612014-05-13T19:18:00.000-04:002014-05-19T15:32:43.541-04:00The Perspectives ClassIn my last post (we won't talk about how long ago <i>that </i>was), I mentioned that I was working towards coordinating the <i>Perspectives</i> class. Things are moving along for the class to happen in the Fall semester, so I thought it would be good to tell a little more about it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL0lWNLzp1KR2O5g2xsZIAWp-5o-sC-c9m9Sho5Xlpng7JLVqlb4wm8AIhOfcTTT6gvTnU1eePYl4DF0dE-vF1F1zmbCoQEy2lLY9UYQbegj250NDl9lKB0lZ__xArlmicigRddA-S6a4/s1600/GT_Bumper_Sticker_Main.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL0lWNLzp1KR2O5g2xsZIAWp-5o-sC-c9m9Sho5Xlpng7JLVqlb4wm8AIhOfcTTT6gvTnU1eePYl4DF0dE-vF1F1zmbCoQEy2lLY9UYQbegj250NDl9lKB0lZ__xArlmicigRddA-S6a4/s1600/GT_Bumper_Sticker_Main.jpg" height="80" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Just a few years ago when we were chatting with some leaders at our missions sending agency, we talked about our feeling that the Christians of our part of NY misunderstand mission work somewhat. They are somewhat more supportive of what we call need-based ministry- work that cares for felt needs of people who are poor, oppressed, hungry, handicapped, etc. We felt some resistance to the nature of our music ministry, which focuses more on sharing the truth of the gospel with those who are <i>spiritually</i> poor, oppressed, hungry and yes, even handicapped. In addition many will argue that the need is so great here at home, we hadn't ought to go overseas to do ministry at all. Our leadership suggested that we try to get the <i>Perspectives </i>class to come to the area, because it could address some of those concerns and help to broaden the understanding of kingdom work. <br />
<br />
At that time, I looked into bringing the course to the area but it seemed like too long and intimidating a process. For one thing, neither of us had taken the course, although we were familiar with the core teachings. To coordinate one has to first take the course at Certificate level, which costs some money and takes 4 months. So that idea was scrapped and we tried to start a Bible study which taught some of those principles through other means. That was not well attended, and let's face it, Todd and I are not gifted Bible study leaders. That's why we were trying to go to the mission field in support roles! But I digress.<br />
<br />
A couple of years later, I suggested to the pastor at our new church that we ought to see the course run here. He agreed and asked if I would do it, but I said I couldn't because the process was too long, and we were hoping to leave for the field. When that didn't happen, I volunteered myself and the church supported me to go down to Lancaster, PA (that was a long drive all by myself!) and train to be a coordinator.<br />
<br />
The job turned out to be a bigger one than I had realized. My original start date as I mentioned in the last blog was January, but it quickly became clear that we could never do the work required in such a short time period, and at Christmastime. Undaunted, I have pushed forward, formed a committee, and am about to submit our plans for a fall course. That's where you come in.<br />
<br />
This class is for everyone who loves God. Although it started as a way to prepare young professionals for the mission field, it's purpose has expanded. It will train you to be a better pray-er, welcomer, sender and mobilizer. It is for pastors and people training for ministry, and they can earn M.Div credit for it. It's for missions committee members, for parents & friends of missionaries, people who have friends or neighbors from other countries, for people who think God is worthy of worship...it's for you.<br />
<br />
I don't consider myself a leader. I've taken gifts inventories- as much as I'd like that gift to show up, it doesn't. This shows in choices I've made- I don't volunteer myself for leadership, but for service. For this class though, I am serving by leading. I got the training, and I have spent the last 10 months, working to build up a support base and a committee. I'm leading meetings. I am approaching all sorts of people. I even went to Potsdam with my friend Kelly last fall and taught one of the sessions for their <i>Perspectives</i> class! I'm excited that I have formed a great committee and am starting to see some energy around the idea of the class.<br />
<br />
I still need help, though. <b> One position we have not yet filled is that of Prayer Coordinator.</b> <i>Perspectives</i> is a spiritual exercise, and it challenges students to make life change based on what they are learning. We need it covered in effective prayer. It would be best if we had someone dedicated to presenting the class for this. And of course, you can <b>pray for us.</b> <br />
Next, we need students!<b> Please help me promote the class</b>. If a member of my recruiting group can come and speak to your Bible Study, adult Sunday School class, missions committee, quarterly meeting, etc., we would love to! We have a great line-up of instructors for you from all walks of life. We need to fill the room (it seats 40) to keep our costs for the class reasonable. <br />
Finally, if you can't commit to take the class this time,<b> consider donating</b> to make it possible for someone else. I have already had young people tell me that they'd like to take the course, but don't think they will be able to afford it (it's a steal at $275 when most college credit courses are $500). We're not set up for donations yet, but if you let me know I will get you that information when it becomes available, or you can just let someone know you'd like to help them privately. <br />
<br />
Please take 2 minutes (you've made it this far) to watch this video and understand more about the course. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/h6a-uSBHu9A?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />Nomad Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05100397481621753693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300564972399864800.post-40763915446774041882013-08-08T17:41:00.001-04:002013-08-08T17:41:21.839-04:00What next?<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLkNXDeJJHqbNKocCsFRnDOeBJNt5rWZj1MkLWOO-S_LG7SN77CqncmOAjs9zd5IY4AdNCksy-CTotOl_RqadN2ZXr_TkYZb2ui2vDUdbRiLHAmnkxnABmU4B8c3KQI-GnOxMPMl9iZji/s1600/what_now.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLkNXDeJJHqbNKocCsFRnDOeBJNt5rWZj1MkLWOO-S_LG7SN77CqncmOAjs9zd5IY4AdNCksy-CTotOl_RqadN2ZXr_TkYZb2ui2vDUdbRiLHAmnkxnABmU4B8c3KQI-GnOxMPMl9iZji/s320/what_now.jpg" style="-webkit-user-select: none;" /></a>Since we decided that we would not be going overseas (to stay) in the near future, we have both had to seek out a new place in the world. We need an identity here as well as an income. For six years or more our identity has been "Pre-field missionary," and we gave up another life to be that; a house, good, or at least adequately paying jobs, schools, etc. Since then we've been nomads, one foot out the door at all times, borrowed house, temporary/occasional jobs. That's not enough anymore. It was never really enough, but because (we thought) it was short term, and God provided in other ways, we were satisfied with it. It was even exciting. Now, Todd needs to rebuild his career, and he can't go back to the main one he left. So, what are we going to do?<br /><br />
Todd took a job working nights at a convenience store. It doesn't pay much, but it's a job and he thought it would leave him flexible for other things. Then he also went back to work at the amusement park. That also doesn't pay much, but at least it's somewhat in his field (sound)- he's a Supervisor in the entertainment department, and he has a lot of fun and a nice tan (on his face anyway). He is also still participating in the Ministry Apprenticeship Program at our church, and currently having mentoring meetings on the subject of coaching others. <br />
He's also exhausted, and it's not enough.<br />
<br />
He spent the spring in training (mostly unpaid) to drive a school bus for a nearby district as a substitute. A few weeks ago, we was offered a permanent route. That's pretty exciting because though it's still part-time, it pays nicely, and the schedule allows him free time for other things, too. School bus driving is not what Todd always dreamed of growing up to do, but not many people can say that they are doing what they always dreamed of doing. One of those other things is a seasonal leadership job that would go through the end of the year, but he hasn't accepted it yet, so I'm not going to publish it here.<br />
<br />
We are excited about God's provision for our family. If you pray for us, please pray for Todd to have skills at juggling all these various responsibilities.<br />
And then there's me.<br />
<br />
I am also working on training for a new position, but I am a long way off from it becoming paid employment, so I am not going to describe that here. I am however working on a mountain of other new projects, and I thought it would be fun to share about some of those. They are all meaningful things that I'm pretty excited about, and I could use your help with most of them.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOMyZNi980fE8QxQEVt3-8PkasoLcU4lZ2dDkhC7j-GGcMz-K2nA6je5glx81c5eLsGZyeKga3zu02nQTtaLV3Tr-_xLiPoFgFHuCyOD8GqXvHJJxeEV4Wh8zqs1tLObmrA0Oa6nCXa5I/s640/GT_Bumper_Sticker_Main.jpg" width="640" /><a href="https://class.perspectives.org/psp/about.html" target="_blank">https://class.perspectives.org/psp/about.html</a></div>
Are you familiar with the Perspectives course? It's official title is "Perspectives on the World Christian Movement." This is a 15-week, college credit-level discipleship course that seeks to prepare and mobilize people for involvement in mission work, whether they go, send, pray, welcome, etc. It covers the Biblical foundations for mission work, historical information about it (most of it fascinating!), strategic and cultural information. Many people say that it "ruined them for the ordinary." I took the course on-line through the spring and summer, and in July I went to Lancaster, PA to be trained as a coordinator. With that, I can bring the course to the Glens Falls region in January-May 2014. It should be a multi-church effort! Recruitment now open for members of my coordinating team- I need a prayer coordinator, an instructor care manager (there's a different instructor each week, some from out of town), a registrar, recruitment manager, etc. Its going to be a lot of work but it's a happy burden to me because I know that this class has eternal impact on the people who take it. Interested? You can find out more at <a href="https://class.perspectives.org/psp/about.html">https://class.perspectives.org/psp/about.html</a> and please, <a href="mailto:andrewstricias@gmail.com" target="_blank">let me know</a> if you want to help or take the class. I've become friends with the coordinator of the Perspectives Course taking place in Potsdam this fall, and we can sit in on a few classes up there for a preview. And please pray for me and my developing team! <br />
<br />
<a href="http://betterwayimports.com/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdrMdx7BoBvk5NJKP2hd9Ap3ckfPW-rC71WyxJkEARCby0u_CgF36F7qbAk7iWOwgJ1pLSX5OZIc70TFWIRzzRVBLvO3CUmUwZv8HnoMynhSI6dLUbuXDcl1a2oddAgh8aNbkgjkeBWDg/s320/Logo.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Another thing I have gotten involved in that makes an eternal impact is Better Way Imports.<br />
Better Way is a home party-like company. I am helping to market fair-trade items made by women who have been trafficked. It is a ministry as well as a small income stream. You can help by scheduling or attending a party- which I prefer to call an Awareness Event- or making a purchase. It helps to get the word out about human trafficking, and it provides women an alternate way of making a living. The items I market are unique- bags, jewelry, stationery, journals and other items made from recycled fabric or textiles, sustainably made paper, etc. It makes me very happy to be involved in something that helps women and children in far-off places, many of whom are victims through no fault of their own, and are finding love through the programs that rescue them and train them in these enterprises. As a plus, the items are beautiful! You can check them out at my facebook business page,<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Better-Way-Freedom-Fighter-Tricia/529097627141742" target="_blank">Better Way Freedom Fighter- Tricia. </a><br />
And if you're a fan of the chocolate home parties I was doing last year, don't worry- I'm still available for that, too.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiAWRICSMXoxgnj-eQQDW78r6qeolKN8y-S2zTw-6I5RwWE9_DcSeYDWwAPVk31kaJ5elKgabz1491u97kR5c7fY8b5ZhGNH0MvCeV0WoccfVn-wwX13bbrry3T_PMWFnvveO80KNGVPM/s1600/xingkai15_1_32769_24107.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiAWRICSMXoxgnj-eQQDW78r6qeolKN8y-S2zTw-6I5RwWE9_DcSeYDWwAPVk31kaJ5elKgabz1491u97kR5c7fY8b5ZhGNH0MvCeV0WoccfVn-wwX13bbrry3T_PMWFnvveO80KNGVPM/s400/xingkai15_1_32769_24107.png" width="171" /></a>In addition to projects 1-4 above, we're about to start another year of homeschooling and we are in high gear now that The Little Princess is 6 and in the first grade (she got about halfway through traditional "first grade" materials last year, so don't ask her what grade she's going into- it confuses her) and reportable to New York State. I don't really care about NYS- the point is the "baby" of the family is doing school, too. I am teaching two classes at our local co-op this year (8th grade General Science and high school cooking+) and tutoring one boy in Chinese along with my own boy- all of which is a new experience as I haven't been lead teacher before. For any of my readers who are classical home educators, I've got a lower grammar students, an upper grammar student, a dialectic student and a rhetoric level student. So, as a friend of mine says, I have a lot of plates spinning. I definitely drop one from time to time. Although there are moments when I feel <i>too</i> busy, I mostly feel occupied, in a good way. Most of this is exciting, can't-wait-to-see-what-God's-gonna-do stuff. Some of it even lets me feel like I am finally using my college degrees (International Politics and Sustainable Development & Missions and Intercultural Studies), which is nice. <br />
<br />
I'm happy to be able to share this information. Back in March when we went before our church to explain our change in plans, Pastor Ken asked me what's next for us, I didn't have an answer. At ALL. We were still wrestling with grief. And of course we still are- one doesn't set aside 16 years (today's our 16th anniversary, and we were headed for the mission field all along) of working for one goal overnight. It hurts and we don't understand. So of course it helps to plant a new vision. We've been encouraged by others' who've laid a hand on our arm and told us their story of loss and re-direction. I feel confident that we haven't really lost anything; it just doesn't look like we hoped it would. It's gonna be ok; maybe even more than ok, especially you walk alongside us. Thanks.Nomad Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05100397481621753693noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300564972399864800.post-11387879991973746212013-06-11T18:29:00.001-04:002014-05-19T15:33:15.769-04:00Macaroni and Cheese Pizza I used to be a recipe cook, but recently I have gotten more creative (brave?). I tried something today that turned out nicely so I thought I would share my "recipe." I made this up after scrolling through half a dozen on-line recipes, but it's not really based on any of them.<br />
The occasion: it's my oldest daughter's 15th birthday and she has some friends over for games. We were talking about what to have and of course pizza was suggested; it always is. So was mac and cheese because my mac and cheese is awesome. Hence, macaroni and cheese pizza!<br />
I used a refrigerated pizza crust, which I normally wouldn't do but hey! it's been a week. So, I spread the crust on a greased pizza pan and sprinkled it with some shredded mozzarella cheese.<br />
<br />
Then I made an abbreviated version of my usual scratch mac and cheese recipe. Cooked enough macaroni to make about 3 cups. Melted half a stick of butter, then stirred in about a teaspoon of salt and ground mustard and about 2 Tablespoons of flour. I didn't measure the seasonings or flour- at this point you are aiming for a wet paste consistency. Then I added a Tablespoon of parmesan cheese and a cup of milk. When that made a nice soup I added two cups of mozzarella- this is where is got different from just being awesome mac and cheese, for which I use cheddar. Mozzarella goes on pizza!<br />
<br />
Anyway I cooled that mixture some and spread it on the crust and baked it for 20 minutes at 400 degrees. I considered putting bread crumbs on the top, but we don't have any, so I didn't. <br />
The kids said it was pretty good and they ate it all so I don't have a pic! If you try this, let me know what you think!Nomad Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05100397481621753693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300564972399864800.post-41372742247390933222013-02-24T19:58:00.001-05:002014-05-19T15:32:50.590-04:00Changing Paths- For those who don't get our newsletter or facebook posts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKQyP7eORZPAXwx2Me20mW1Qk3xUJH6z9grP1-lwvXVl4r_AILA8zycapl0feqFQJvUWoW6G8wSNvo1t5_GeRgsYwkndIR1xjUOWHltAyJUIX6YJ4UgQd-e7V5alk7QC-G35922Pg_koI/s1600/DSC09273.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKQyP7eORZPAXwx2Me20mW1Qk3xUJH6z9grP1-lwvXVl4r_AILA8zycapl0feqFQJvUWoW6G8wSNvo1t5_GeRgsYwkndIR1xjUOWHltAyJUIX6YJ4UgQd-e7V5alk7QC-G35922Pg_koI/s320/DSC09273.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent">Sadly
we are sharing with you, our supporters, that we feel it is not in
God’s will & timing that we go to the foreign mission field as a
family in the near future. As missionaries we willingly agreed to a
financial policy which in a nutshell reads “We make no appeals for
funds.” We’ve never made our need a focal point of our ministry
presentations because we believe that God will move upon hearts to
support us independent of our asking. In light of this, we must admit
that since He hasn’t so moved over the course of six years, it appears
not to be in His will that we should go right now. <br /> We are not
quite ready to decide upon meaningful next steps, but we intend to stay
as involved with TACO as we have been. We will talk to leadership at
our missions agency in the next few weeks ab<span class="text_exposed_show">out what our technical relationship with them will be; but they will remain in our affections! <br />
We know that missions is a good thing and that TACO is a good thing.
We even believe that we are a good thing; as much as any person is any
good before God; our marriage is good, kids are good, and our
relationship with our church is good. All of these things are very
good. It a mystery to us that these things don't come together in the
way that we had hoped. But after six years, and especially this past
summer of working ardently to raise support to go to the field where we
felt we could best use our gifts and talents, we find ourselves no
closer. In addition, the nomadic and flexible lifestyle we have lived
has begun to wear on us. Our savings safety net is dangerously
depleted. Our children have sacrificed friendships as well as material
needs and wants. We, Todd and Tricia, separately found ourselves ready
to find regular employment for some time. <br /> Although we don’t regret
the choices we made over the last few years, we feel grief over the
loss, at least temporarily, of this dream, which have nurtured since
before we were married. <br /> If you have given to us financially we are
so grateful for your support and encouragement. Thank you for
investing in this ministry! You have been a great blessing to us with
your prayers as well. We hope that you will continue to support the
work as the Lord leads and as we are able to participate in events.<br />
Please continue to be in prayer for our family as we reconsider and wait
for direction . We want to continue to honor God with the challenging
decisions we have to make.</span></span></span></span></h5>
Nomad Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05100397481621753693noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300564972399864800.post-14607167872904919732012-12-08T19:34:00.000-05:002014-05-19T15:33:07.631-04:00War and Upstate NYI really enjoy planning field trips that match up to the topics we're studying. I don't like them to be "special events" that don't make sense- I just love to weave them in. We live in an area that's a gold mine for a family studying colonial history up through the revolution- in fact, there are historical markers <i>everywhere</i> if you're looking for them. We made quite the sport of it last spring as we were studying the revolution and the area is littered with "George Washington slept here" type signs. The street at the end of ours is Burgoyne, crossed by Ethan Allen a mile away- and a range of other names I never recognized as historical until this year. We're also in the near vicinity of the setting for the novel <u>The Last of the Mohicans</u>, the upper Hudson Valley, and the foothills of the Adirondacks. <br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So, imagine my disappointment when I figured out that all of the fun historical sites we could visit would be closed until after our school year had ended! We had a very lame winter last year, so I couldn't even tell myself that the ground would be wet, etc...but none of them would open until mid-May. So, I wound up cramming visits to all these sites into just a few days. Until then, we contented ourselves with hunting down historical markers. Now, I will cram them all into one blog post (long overdue) as well.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis-6WDKDPN0n2VvqpP5loTnhJeD-u12mL2OBCqyeaw5o3nzu7h_-5girzpB0SBYIbGeHsAvWynLcYfASaZ_hYhLeV3e2FCIU__zAEFvKGkyoA12bWsA34A501yCTukG2fgmwrflTVRq3k/s1600/100_4867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis-6WDKDPN0n2VvqpP5loTnhJeD-u12mL2OBCqyeaw5o3nzu7h_-5girzpB0SBYIbGeHsAvWynLcYfASaZ_hYhLeV3e2FCIU__zAEFvKGkyoA12bWsA34A501yCTukG2fgmwrflTVRq3k/s320/100_4867.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
This is one of the homes of Philip Schulyer, who was a general in the Revolution. Part of the <a href="http://www.nps.gov/sara/planyourvisit/index.htm">Saratoga National Historical Site</a> borders on the property where my mother grew up, although the house isn't there anymore. It's in the village of Schuylerville, site of a battle called the Turning Point in the Revolution. I have passed it many times, and toured the battlefield park as well, but I don't remember ever going on the tour of the house before. <br />
We got lucky that day because we walked up to the house and got a tour guide all to ourselves, while seconds behind us a school bus had pulled up and the kids were headed our way. The guide said we got their first. I was happy not to have to share the small spaces or the guide with a group of students. Midway through the tour, we became exhibit B as they all gaped at us coming down the stairs. (Ohh, homeschoolers...)<br />
I couldn't take any pictures inside, but a few interesting features I can recall I would like to record. One is that the sitting room of this house (windows to the right in this picture) boasts original wallpaper on one of the walls. The others have been made to match it. Whoa!<br />
Another interesting feature was the little beds. If you've ever been to a historical home and noticed the short beds, perhaps you have been told or guessed that "people were shorter back then." But according to our young guide, who I really liked but whose name I can't remember, people weren't shorter. In fact Philip Schuyler was almost as tall as George Washington (who didn't sleep there, though he visited), 6'4". But they slept sitting up in those days due to some sort of superstition. <br />
The other striking element to me is that the floors in the public areas were lined with a rattan-like coverings which turned out to be the packing materials from the crates of fancy dishes (china) the Schuylers had had shipped over from, well, China. Reuse and recycle!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbLPmFSLnHVk5ybnER0XCwWHfjXOKGxO8yOckTLElkl5MnfTaT7LMGwikvJng85I-_BZmoBylgofXZPAavvOzZeHhTSA4W07sqLX6KTPWebjBvmkSyf1dQ1iiga1lafVxhuDIXGM9nygY/s1600/100_4868.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbLPmFSLnHVk5ybnER0XCwWHfjXOKGxO8yOckTLElkl5MnfTaT7LMGwikvJng85I-_BZmoBylgofXZPAavvOzZeHhTSA4W07sqLX6KTPWebjBvmkSyf1dQ1iiga1lafVxhuDIXGM9nygY/s200/100_4868.JPG" width="150" /></a>One other interesting fact I picked up was that Schuyler's wife was of the family Van Rensselaer. There are plenty of Dutch names up this way, thanks to the original European colonizers. But Van Rensselaer is a name associated with another historical building, of which you might find pictures on this blog, and a certain number of my readers might be familiar. It was a fun little connection to make. They had 15 children.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiObI0RtgYSTV9skeqLbx78EBlgvEEF2t_W-OGI4O8j3KBKvuAfybTd5QKt7lcFaQ43Hbj8zDtF637d_aui_q9OXY6fq6ojHNGQiTmnllPDVf2yjfLRD1eNP6SGlIIx6SmVuj4mNiXC_ow/s1600/100_4871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiObI0RtgYSTV9skeqLbx78EBlgvEEF2t_W-OGI4O8j3KBKvuAfybTd5QKt7lcFaQ43Hbj8zDtF637d_aui_q9OXY6fq6ojHNGQiTmnllPDVf2yjfLRD1eNP6SGlIIx6SmVuj4mNiXC_ow/s320/100_4871.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4I938i8xhfdqmY_nDDgJetcOgFhZCaW1xEHgQhYicDWpMyc3LzscReDwg0q-4RPu3IMhNkWUyjf-hRH1TV-D3cVcsiFoC07JEJ75k3cC0XONjDNwITv1sLQsJ6vEUrKEfqzd82dh4uC0/s1600/100_4869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4I938i8xhfdqmY_nDDgJetcOgFhZCaW1xEHgQhYicDWpMyc3LzscReDwg0q-4RPu3IMhNkWUyjf-hRH1TV-D3cVcsiFoC07JEJ75k3cC0XONjDNwITv1sLQsJ6vEUrKEfqzd82dh4uC0/s200/100_4869.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQUWC4WNG4LEyBJv5uU4ccp7w6-Q6_QuCHUmlO7RzLCqEw0LlBIwHlnMt72Alzyow1kbTH39xsvRNn_un7Tv8K_uEpNqpNfetA94WLkjABMHo418Ej_4oehJHkjLGT1fK0mw0ykw4NMLY/s1600/100_4870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQUWC4WNG4LEyBJv5uU4ccp7w6-Q6_QuCHUmlO7RzLCqEw0LlBIwHlnMt72Alzyow1kbTH39xsvRNn_un7Tv8K_uEpNqpNfetA94WLkjABMHo418Ej_4oehJHkjLGT1fK0mw0ykw4NMLY/s200/100_4870.JPG" width="150" /></a> From there we moved on to the Battlefield Park visitors' center. We found very friendly and outgoing staff, as well as a bookstore stocked with all the books we had just read for our unit. They also sell a nice supply of local goods like maple syrup, honey and recipe books. We watched a movie there about the Turning Point and then we played with their hands in exhibit of soldier clothes and a tent like the soldiers would have camped in. After that, we toured the battlefield. That costs extra, but I was determined to do this right. We had brought a picnic, so we found a nice spot to sit and eat. We were met by another friendly and outgoing interpreter, a retired to teacher who happily told us all about the site. He also gave us directions to a spot on the lake in Ticonderoga where we could find a heron rookery, but I regret we didn't get there this year. He also told us that there might be birds' nests in the cannons, which might have become the most memorable fact of the day for the Boy.<br />
<br />
I regret to say that once you've seen one grassy field with a cannon on top of a hill, you've pretty much seen them all. Getting in and out of the car for each redoubt quickly got old, so, we rushed through the remainder of the park. We had one more stop to make.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
No visit to the Saratoga National Historical Park is complete without seeing this:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyhGzpkTNQcYywdpoIyQ9OiHySlsrPbRahbYyl9tZ5FS5s1vLJ5Gairyzk6eqL1pBq6ZiaoAByc-yLa3IvkGdFaCSvfn0d25T4m42bLbAYO9SOkNyGs8seysD91xnwaRihdcveX0RmrUs/s1600/100_4872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyhGzpkTNQcYywdpoIyQ9OiHySlsrPbRahbYyl9tZ5FS5s1vLJ5Gairyzk6eqL1pBq6ZiaoAByc-yLa3IvkGdFaCSvfn0d25T4m42bLbAYO9SOkNyGs8seysD91xnwaRihdcveX0RmrUs/s320/100_4872.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_rbGyJO6QIYg-37D4SYGnxNlewNpsfHiwRGdh-q_M6TLEbcY3mpWvsETWaqBds9uzjjOHfjAEPY9G3X5bdncBRveSziim3s8eW7iEOrCnQFuhzH_r3oi8pfbSbfT1YfzPsfuRYvr98_k/s1600/100_4873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_rbGyJO6QIYg-37D4SYGnxNlewNpsfHiwRGdh-q_M6TLEbcY3mpWvsETWaqBds9uzjjOHfjAEPY9G3X5bdncBRveSziim3s8eW7iEOrCnQFuhzH_r3oi8pfbSbfT1YfzPsfuRYvr98_k/s320/100_4873.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
And climbing all the steps to the top. This was our second trip up the monument, which was 200 steps and is covered with murals of battle scenes. The view form the top covers the battlefield, the Hudson River on its way to Albany, hills dotted with cows and trees, and a military cemetery with a walking trail. From there we ran to meet Daddy at a Ben & Jerry's. It was the last day to use our Groupon.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7OLnlAvE7MVVqbn0cBVNjWWPJ9q-SnOycHKbJBcLbBUlPA_puMrxbtJBbNsICEVPx7FL9zU6VgAPuLU6v0ebrRYvTlnG8mdwK17-wl9JmRPODaiC2vg9J_UqlRiBnzjbsPsgMhw_DHWc/s1600/100_4874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7OLnlAvE7MVVqbn0cBVNjWWPJ9q-SnOycHKbJBcLbBUlPA_puMrxbtJBbNsICEVPx7FL9zU6VgAPuLU6v0ebrRYvTlnG8mdwK17-wl9JmRPODaiC2vg9J_UqlRiBnzjbsPsgMhw_DHWc/s320/100_4874.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjULrw7yPJEzFwrcrzoQriOBCHJs1W5SkR2MuE-vJmVvpK5xZKSmG4l3TaN_YFiEi42L2xNDS_U3D_nk0WIDO9tPbq_d7wss-7UZf6tqo7hCEyjvRUY7Z6xsti-fJ0alTiWxAfvnEA32rI/s1600/100_4895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjULrw7yPJEzFwrcrzoQriOBCHJs1W5SkR2MuE-vJmVvpK5xZKSmG4l3TaN_YFiEi42L2xNDS_U3D_nk0WIDO9tPbq_d7wss-7UZf6tqo7hCEyjvRUY7Z6xsti-fJ0alTiWxAfvnEA32rI/s200/100_4895.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="text-align: left;">In mid-June we attended our first re-enactment. I see more in our future. This one happened at Bolton Landing on Lake George, and was a French and Indian War event. British soldiers on land met with French, wearing blue, who arrived by ship from the Lake. They battled up the hill and then the British beat them back down. </span></div>
There were also Scottish bagpipers and soldiers, and some Native American re-enactors acting on either side. It was very well-done and the battle lasted about 20 minutes. Afterwards we were able to visit the re-enactors' tents, as they were encamped for the weekend. We learned that the first step in becoming a re-enactor is to pick a war, and then to pick a side, and get the clothing made. Apparently when we have done that, we can just show up! It does sound like a fun way to spend a weekend or two each summer.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuBBHyyytuKhB-wCPTOHBOzgs8UiWo855xk3U8Xq3quGA9FkKx8QlgsAbcisxigB1JtmQp_WtZukE1rpRW7Gmy0dhmT3AahsbIEAi7ul8eeEFNTgGnFPlQBgEgzs535Flik7Kg3tl0jck/s1600/100_4896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuBBHyyytuKhB-wCPTOHBOzgs8UiWo855xk3U8Xq3quGA9FkKx8QlgsAbcisxigB1JtmQp_WtZukE1rpRW7Gmy0dhmT3AahsbIEAi7ul8eeEFNTgGnFPlQBgEgzs535Flik7Kg3tl0jck/s200/100_4896.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
One of the displays we enjoyed was that of a lady who does costuming and speaks at schools. We also saw food preparation, and a few vendors had displays for sale. I thought the pewter chess set was something special. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggwquNfKvqq0_q4TL5RruI59mYO-Qauc-7O6UNEeZ5ld0r5Uhb2PIlWqqgXe6gQiBxw3hCG3EhqRhmXpj2o8hW5W-eeRf6yrVfPlFrfJOqdt6qhjMu4HL27VpoyuNVAvCOkaDXnK5-faE/s1600/100_4897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggwquNfKvqq0_q4TL5RruI59mYO-Qauc-7O6UNEeZ5ld0r5Uhb2PIlWqqgXe6gQiBxw3hCG3EhqRhmXpj2o8hW5W-eeRf6yrVfPlFrfJOqdt6qhjMu4HL27VpoyuNVAvCOkaDXnK5-faE/s200/100_4897.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChLuTCbgGrTIbVs6oWTM_xO2x6hhIgM-w_O4_KUJxfuPDEkbuh7iHgRORiuPUiEm6CtNBgx51w-wjaTFYhZ4kO74noi9lo9CVONnomusU3bUMHBybLPqvHUb5C6-qJy6FOAvMUrle4dM/s1600/100_4899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChLuTCbgGrTIbVs6oWTM_xO2x6hhIgM-w_O4_KUJxfuPDEkbuh7iHgRORiuPUiEm6CtNBgx51w-wjaTFYhZ4kO74noi9lo9CVONnomusU3bUMHBybLPqvHUb5C6-qJy6FOAvMUrle4dM/s320/100_4899.JPG" title="" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNHlRakUw63f9mOxAZcDcY9HB4-HDq_O5XbEqanpEHoa5xa25xrDXyNk4E_Y376-2JnUEZkmkFgRM4JNYGH0sVmsqjvRM6Mtxfgi_FE35dgFJ_9hDffpSX_mxAQ0eG4f9vBBDInJvNX8Q/s1600/100_4898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNHlRakUw63f9mOxAZcDcY9HB4-HDq_O5XbEqanpEHoa5xa25xrDXyNk4E_Y376-2JnUEZkmkFgRM4JNYGH0sVmsqjvRM6Mtxfgi_FE35dgFJ_9hDffpSX_mxAQ0eG4f9vBBDInJvNX8Q/s1600/100_4898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNHlRakUw63f9mOxAZcDcY9HB4-HDq_O5XbEqanpEHoa5xa25xrDXyNk4E_Y376-2JnUEZkmkFgRM4JNYGH0sVmsqjvRM6Mtxfgi_FE35dgFJ_9hDffpSX_mxAQ0eG4f9vBBDInJvNX8Q/s400/100_4898.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
What do you suppose the marker below is about? I thought it was about the battle that was being re-enacted, but it isn't. It's another "George was here."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGiIdBKQxohf74pc53V0vPS_c0x78mlaQ9bUp3peVlcvZuToQXNa-uJtwLbm4B73b9Y17KfB1dFfzm_WH98Nkkhyphenhyphenx-nGD0mIugjeBl1P8-9YuSfrMoGycRu7gftf36trZa2ZEluIDSShE/s1600/100_4901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGiIdBKQxohf74pc53V0vPS_c0x78mlaQ9bUp3peVlcvZuToQXNa-uJtwLbm4B73b9Y17KfB1dFfzm_WH98Nkkhyphenhyphenx-nGD0mIugjeBl1P8-9YuSfrMoGycRu7gftf36trZa2ZEluIDSShE/s200/100_4901.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGn1WRlk_-QQoUYhVFNkQsh464IJUjGVFglZeWRMRXbcgCKHsmCS5zuhM3qF6EoQdPZOQ_5HRSImla5-X-3mHP58k6oa2Oe5tPPMHweG5OwquUFqWH2tLMrTcUKAikQI5CNAnqZ_Rdwkc/s1600/100_4902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGn1WRlk_-QQoUYhVFNkQsh464IJUjGVFglZeWRMRXbcgCKHsmCS5zuhM3qF6EoQdPZOQ_5HRSImla5-X-3mHP58k6oa2Oe5tPPMHweG5OwquUFqWH2tLMrTcUKAikQI5CNAnqZ_Rdwkc/s200/100_4902.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8MjU95CNs5fZZ8oYLgx0BnSD34L8xpPytsRbduIjSEhVNlP_0rmYD2dScnXhYkYRdCksW6KuMwoUFcUN1MXNhmfa6U6m0Z4BBKubrAUVZ2Z-00R8kn0Sktyd0dSQHUv6vhpNGjqd3auA/s1600/100_4908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8MjU95CNs5fZZ8oYLgx0BnSD34L8xpPytsRbduIjSEhVNlP_0rmYD2dScnXhYkYRdCksW6KuMwoUFcUN1MXNhmfa6U6m0Z4BBKubrAUVZ2Z-00R8kn0Sktyd0dSQHUv6vhpNGjqd3auA/s320/100_4908.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyVNgdCIyff6voeOK0ihFqBV7JUwGoqCMnOEc6yPz_e_pSF6gBJXwPQWHIcwgnGyHT7CMaxqc2sL7c04eSi_m6uqlQTFOJdRD-xBFSC0-LxXMXWwGwA-Q0mIpc7tAC9NXD6MdVxX3YuB4/s1600/100_4910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyVNgdCIyff6voeOK0ihFqBV7JUwGoqCMnOEc6yPz_e_pSF6gBJXwPQWHIcwgnGyHT7CMaxqc2sL7c04eSi_m6uqlQTFOJdRD-xBFSC0-LxXMXWwGwA-Q0mIpc7tAC9NXD6MdVxX3YuB4/s320/100_4910.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizPuRUOeATMil671qi3Eq8mt2OpsqCPJj4RKqluOpQFhLvJzEA4l37rGYsFvXD0AFxPL2C9DTO9WuQCh0a2f4h2LSBTTtrgndc9TBctzGfxxkN80QRHlj8Zw5I93Ji4_zRNcd8g2RmDvA/s1600/100_4909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizPuRUOeATMil671qi3Eq8mt2OpsqCPJj4RKqluOpQFhLvJzEA4l37rGYsFvXD0AFxPL2C9DTO9WuQCh0a2f4h2LSBTTtrgndc9TBctzGfxxkN80QRHlj8Zw5I93Ji4_zRNcd8g2RmDvA/s320/100_4909.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKcKDT2fwq5XszmAyDEJGefpWd20tTZcw4Ow5cqPSIvEdBQ_CbAlaKXhnkjouRxKrbU9u7IFVPXWl83BIxTjqJjCSElzCXywoaWoxSqXugN-FLe49Jn0qXp2OwKTnk_zVnI6VWKWc9UDQ/s1600/100_4911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKcKDT2fwq5XszmAyDEJGefpWd20tTZcw4Ow5cqPSIvEdBQ_CbAlaKXhnkjouRxKrbU9u7IFVPXWl83BIxTjqJjCSElzCXywoaWoxSqXugN-FLe49Jn0qXp2OwKTnk_zVnI6VWKWc9UDQ/s320/100_4911.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3enEuuGDc2Lb4v3JNbBnoN3iq-y8MuITO_YP6Ww_9INNjHjxt7k3_BhaKzuMvr8KTuVlpxvVgXzX1zz1wh90aV6i7ZMdqRZBKsyskvO7Nnk9ubZEGhkQeD7g37L7xbwXCGJszPqFCOzM/s1600/100_4913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3enEuuGDc2Lb4v3JNbBnoN3iq-y8MuITO_YP6Ww_9INNjHjxt7k3_BhaKzuMvr8KTuVlpxvVgXzX1zz1wh90aV6i7ZMdqRZBKsyskvO7Nnk9ubZEGhkQeD7g37L7xbwXCGJszPqFCOzM/s320/100_4913.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt8zBCQiyXo4YpCo8xUgGfEvfMbc4ziaJsUPhScl-GE6HOsuGvV8NnCFpEWru4W7xGpKimpCLICBTwP5sfhlABd3Rmc8bphD0EjPcp0JEAbYo7IYwhzAx8eyYZpLByBzA73fC0hRfyr4s/s1600/100_4912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt8zBCQiyXo4YpCo8xUgGfEvfMbc4ziaJsUPhScl-GE6HOsuGvV8NnCFpEWru4W7xGpKimpCLICBTwP5sfhlABd3Rmc8bphD0EjPcp0JEAbYo7IYwhzAx8eyYZpLByBzA73fC0hRfyr4s/s320/100_4912.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Another day, we went to Crown Point, NY, another <a href="http://nysparks.com/historic-sites/34/details.aspx">National Historic Park</a>. Crown Point is on Lake Champlain, a spot that the French and English vied for for years. I never knew, growing up, just how important this area had been during colonial times. Though familiar with some of the Revolutionary spots, I didn't realize the trade importance of all those waterways and the richness of fur, lumber and stone that made it worth fighting for. Although the Hudson River and Lake Champlain aren't attached, and the canal system hadn't been invented yet, the waterways were still the easiest way to transport goods at the time. So, this spot where we live, just before the Hudson becomes un-navigable, was very important. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw6nvHAD-lP5IhD3OSnyDzSyNUT3yJBfIjJegb95S7ucmFVziWvo_b3O55NdoRtk0Tu3nFeEEIfB39t_nGfuVeRGhBQ1HR5vGkvAHEcvIstn0RO08ytxJ0mPuKuoMOWu-UxljZL6oydk4/s1600/100_4925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw6nvHAD-lP5IhD3OSnyDzSyNUT3yJBfIjJegb95S7ucmFVziWvo_b3O55NdoRtk0Tu3nFeEEIfB39t_nGfuVeRGhBQ1HR5vGkvAHEcvIstn0RO08ytxJ0mPuKuoMOWu-UxljZL6oydk4/s200/100_4925.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvPpacSe03H4LfZlaUSvti8MVQNXFgr5SfBF9bV08Ddpmrby6ZyzxsMfJTPJNGYD9bslwLPF9QFV4V-f3TBeDSig0NVIsHDnQ_4ve4fgigjyRfOPxoBjJZGxz4bOB5hULMhyUpJdgk0fo/s1600/100_4933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvPpacSe03H4LfZlaUSvti8MVQNXFgr5SfBF9bV08Ddpmrby6ZyzxsMfJTPJNGYD9bslwLPF9QFV4V-f3TBeDSig0NVIsHDnQ_4ve4fgigjyRfOPxoBjJZGxz4bOB5hULMhyUpJdgk0fo/s320/100_4933.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMmijz6uQdyEEKxsg-jLD-sEUcMI-Prw-PCe12-A2UE5jq08lWE3EwVbsRy9YV8DvYeKCtGh1aznexg2MZpNh6aOUK8Zd0TWcZobbg-gxuTvn7AWdyuVAqxBDMDpJAgg5i9jVGg6k0uoc/s1600/100_4932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMmijz6uQdyEEKxsg-jLD-sEUcMI-Prw-PCe12-A2UE5jq08lWE3EwVbsRy9YV8DvYeKCtGh1aznexg2MZpNh6aOUK8Zd0TWcZobbg-gxuTvn7AWdyuVAqxBDMDpJAgg5i9jVGg6k0uoc/s320/100_4932.JPG" width="320" /></a>At the Crown Point Site there are remains of both a French Fort (St. Frederic) and a British one, which became an American one during the Revolution but wasn't very important by then. There isn't much left of Fort St. Frederic, but I took a picture anyway.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdm7Ng3apqH2ooYfiHnJcePmDbbY5TKkvZL_QFhNQRmig0p-08SYbb7mQfzIBGXOqGm7E46EAB-03RosAELfMZYi_-9TEprp7KBcHBn2HQqOXB4ZwE8v-BKRXwj1W2dnApdBjHRBtAPs4/s1600/100_4929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdm7Ng3apqH2ooYfiHnJcePmDbbY5TKkvZL_QFhNQRmig0p-08SYbb7mQfzIBGXOqGm7E46EAB-03RosAELfMZYi_-9TEprp7KBcHBn2HQqOXB4ZwE8v-BKRXwj1W2dnApdBjHRBtAPs4/s200/100_4929.JPG" width="200" /></a>As at Saratoga, our trip began with a picnic. It was a very hot day, so we were excited to pay the small fee and go into the museum to watch a movie about the site. It was an interactive display that lit up in red flames when it told about the fires that had destroyed the various incarnations of the Fort. After we toured the museum, which is filled with artifacts pulled from the ashes, we met a man dressed in full French regalia. <br />
<br />
There is another site between home and Crown Point, Fort Ticonderoga. We didn't visit there because it costs more than the others and wasn't in the budget. It is nearly a 2 hour drive to visit these. I am glad we did though and wonder whether the next time we visit this period of history, I should try to align it better with the seasons so that we can visit the sites at the right time. </div>
Nomad Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05100397481621753693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300564972399864800.post-21743601463133803132012-06-23T23:16:00.001-04:002012-06-23T23:16:28.020-04:00Next Year's Homeschool Plan-Reveal<span style="background-color: white;">It's that time of year again, when homeschool moms like me are making their choices for next year. Actually, I think I'm a bit late in posting this, as I rounded up most of my choices around income tax refund season. I am convinced that the curriculum companies plan their sales in March and April for two reasons: families are flush with income tax refunds, and burned out and looking for a change at about the same time of year. But I digress. </span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaw_ulY3bBZZDI8ScofMJJSpJb-m_xsnyMDA01NFvcjTvtbkCy8xCnRvzXCHaQ5zHREo9i433R2tKek2hIAO5G3gSmz4hyC2QfK6_e63Yb73Nit20eRF1dBKKSkKSe3M2nKlfLfpXEcac/s1600/100_4859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaw_ulY3bBZZDI8ScofMJJSpJb-m_xsnyMDA01NFvcjTvtbkCy8xCnRvzXCHaQ5zHREo9i433R2tKek2hIAO5G3gSmz4hyC2QfK6_e63Yb73Nit20eRF1dBKKSkKSe3M2nKlfLfpXEcac/s320/100_4859.JPG" width="320" /></a>I'm listing my plans for this year. Perhaps my plans and my explanations of my choices will help you. We'll start with the Little Princess; her plan is the simplest. It's a continuation of what we have been doing this year. She just turned five on Wednesday, so, as far as I am concerned she is ahead of the game at about halfway through kindergarten. This year, she's been doing about 2 pages a day in Explode the Code 1, and a Saxon Math K lesson every few days. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The same math book is here because she isn't done with it yet, and she's now working in Explode the Code 11/2, which is supposed to be supplemental. I didn't know that when I bought it, but considering her age, I think it's a good idea to take it slow. She'll finish 2 before the year is out, and it's marked Grade 1! The other reading book you see here is Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons. We used it this year, and got up to Lesson 25 or so, but the Princess got resistant to it and so, rather than doing battle, I went back to the workbook. I had dropped the workbook because she was resisting reading sentences, and she's over that now. So I have learned that switching these out is good, at least for her. The other reading instruction here is a Between the Lions tape, which I check out at the library as a supplement to whatever we are learning in Reading. I've also got a Sid and Sam book in there, which is just something I had out of the library for her to work on a few weeks ago when I took the picture.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The real backbone of our homeschool is Tapestry of Grace. This year we will be doing Year 3. I only have a few Tapestry books at her level because I don't buy them; there are too many good selections at the library. What you see here represents the era we are covering- the 1800's- from president John Adams up to William McKinley. I bought the Abraham Lincoln paper dolls at a going out of business sale locally, and truth be told, they are for me. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Since I mentioned it, I will tell you where I got all of these books, because learning how to find good books (Tapestry books) cheap is very important to any reader who's a Tapestry user especially. And I know I'm not the only homeschool mom on a budget! So...Library, of course. Number one source! The only thing I bought new was the Explode the Code workbook. 100 Easy Lessons, Westward Ho! and the others came from Homeschoolclassifiedads.com, Amazon.com or moms selling at curriculum fairs or Yahoo! Groups. The Abraham Lincoln book by D'Aulaire and the Cherokee book are "found" books- I just had them around or got them out of a free box somewhere. To do this I had to have a pretty good idea of what we were going to be looking for.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGrAdLNx_GC5m6ndOnW-bW3UV0WekSoFCiwdmZa9U3xvK9ij3pBP3YY4DF3TP8Y8RXg81EbJeFTzq9aU7sjNcxoZ51lLFHBPHVH6oEsPDfeO2LvGoxAZ_CmceJOdKqYASfjkJhQSURr7M/s1600/100_4854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGrAdLNx_GC5m6ndOnW-bW3UV0WekSoFCiwdmZa9U3xvK9ij3pBP3YY4DF3TP8Y8RXg81EbJeFTzq9aU7sjNcxoZ51lLFHBPHVH6oEsPDfeO2LvGoxAZ_CmceJOdKqYASfjkJhQSURr7M/s320/100_4854.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
Science is not represented here. My plan is to have her listen in on her brother's lessons from Apologia's Flying Creatures. He loves to read to her if she will listen, or I will read to them both and she'll have a coloring sheet. Handwriting is covered in Explode the Code, but if we need more I will get them from donnayoung.org. That site also has pages here to go with 100 Easy Lessons.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Now for the Mayor. I've already mentioned his Science class. He did part of that book last year, but our local co-op is doing it this year, so he will finish it. I plan to supplement his Science with materials about the scientific discoveries of the era we are studying in History- the steam engine, the cotton gin, light bulb, vaccine, etc. </div>
<div>
For math, he will continue with Saxon Math. We were given a full set of older edition Saxon tests a couple of years ago, and although he finds it tedious, it's a strong program that we will continue with. Math takes him hours every day, but I don't think it's the program's fault. One problem is that he's ahead of his age, so he's writing out problems with an 8-year old hand that isn't really ready for so much writing. I hope that this issue improves next year. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
For English we use Rod & Staff; which is an intense program. It's not hard for The Mayor though because he's been doing it since first grade. I used the entire Rod & Staff curriculum my first year homeschooling, and English is the only thing I still use. Now, with the acquisition of Grade 4 this year, I have a complete collection grades 2-8. We also use Spelling Power, and I got the 4th edition for $3.00 at a curriculum swap this spring. Writing Aids is a handbook that comes with Tapestry of Grace, and I will use it to teach writing that covers topics from History class. The rest of the books pictured here, as well as quite a few on our Kobo e-reader, are for History class. The Mayor will enjoy the activity book, which has word seaches, crosswords, maps and recipes from early America. Likewise he will enjoy the Oregon trail computer game, which has been revised just a little since I played it in junior high. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBXetdWyiCaAp6mv9P5qxYip_J71ObO0EnUAnWZJKC5FdOB9GOU3K9ZdFTRxFAcXRHYgGO7H45yM9dbbciAp5Do3QI5vFD0gTz91Oe0e9xyxyfYgm2Y8alaCmhPFU7mLSqYdCQRksCjIo/s1600/100_4856.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBXetdWyiCaAp6mv9P5qxYip_J71ObO0EnUAnWZJKC5FdOB9GOU3K9ZdFTRxFAcXRHYgGO7H45yM9dbbciAp5Do3QI5vFD0gTz91Oe0e9xyxyfYgm2Y8alaCmhPFU7mLSqYdCQRksCjIo/s320/100_4856.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
The Girl isn't studying Apologia General Science this year. There's a very small group her age at our local co-op who are going to take another year to get ready for this book. I don't know yet exactly what they are going to do. She's continuing with Saxon math, which she's doing well with this year. I think the continual review in Saxon is perfect for her. She got about halfway through Rod & Staff 6 this year because we had to finish 5 and her book was late arriving for 6 (through a used curriculum site). That was my fault for not following up with the seller. But Rod & Staff English isn't a program where you can skip the end of the book; it gets more complex each year, so we're just going to work our way through it. I change up the order of the lessons so that the writing lessons complement the genre we're learning to write. I also did the Capitalization and Punctuation chapters for everyone in March last year to make sure they were ready for their standardized tests, since that was a weak spot last year (we hadn't gotten to that chapter yet!). She will also use Spelling Power as well as Wordly Wise 6 for vocabulary development.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
One other thing we added this year is a Health book. I got it at our local sale, and I didn't really shop for it because it's not a major subject. She'll have to do about two chapters a month. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
For History, she has Oregon Trail and the Kobo like her brother. I got the bundle of Yesterday's Classics for the Kobo, which we have accidentally nicknamed Bob, and they will share that. We'll also listen to some of those selections from librivox.org, while in the car. I am thinking about playing some of the selections from the past year over the summer to bring the Girl up to speed on the Dialectic level readings, because she's moving up this year and it is going to be a challenge. The thing I am most excited about here are the missionary biographies, some of which I can borrow from church and some that I got at the local sale. They are inspiring to read, and close to my heart. She also has a workbook on the Constitution, which I got from paperbackswap.com. Streams of Civilization 2 is there (found that on a "free" table), for those weeks when I can't find the sources Tapestry recommends. We are doing our History and Literature with an on-line co-op again.</div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRtf4F7a0r4DP4qSVEidMs6EbW-X6B4G4Edy3XqhfFwFmo6IJJ_4qJdLVs-KJqu75083WfNfVdgXN3JfhAov6Cp4Tufiqq0CEx2ZINIvqg6BISZJBdTkk7t1kzIfcNgIXDx9t3QdXSDAQ/s1600/100_4857.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRtf4F7a0r4DP4qSVEidMs6EbW-X6B4G4Edy3XqhfFwFmo6IJJ_4qJdLVs-KJqu75083WfNfVdgXN3JfhAov6Cp4Tufiqq0CEx2ZINIvqg6BISZJBdTkk7t1kzIfcNgIXDx9t3QdXSDAQ/s320/100_4857.JPG" width="320" /></a>The Giant will move up to Rhetoric this year as a 9th grader. It's a great deal of reading, but fewer different books. I bought a bunch of them from another Tapestry mom a few weeks ago who was finished with Year 3. That was a great find from a Yahoo! Group. She will not be doing the Government track, just 1/2 credit US History and 1/2 credit Western Civilization. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Like her sister The Giant has an Abeka Health book that she will need to do about a chapter a week in this year. New York requires a half-credit in Health. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
For Science, The Giant will do Apologia Biology at our local co-op. I got the book and the CD at a sale in April at a very good price. I still need to order the dissection tools and specimens for the 4 dissections they will do this year. She's not real excited about that. She got about 2/3 through Saxon Algebra 1/2 this year and will finish that before continuing on to Algebra 1. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There's no Rod & Staff book for the Giant; she's reached the stage where they focus on writing and we have Writing Aids and associated resources. <span style="background-color: white;">One interesting thing for this year is that I offered to teach all the Rhetoric Level Writing in the on-line co-op. I have four students besides my own, and I'm excited and a little nervous about that. I have not decided yet which level(s) of Writing Aids to use, since I have 2 10th graders and 2 11th graders in addition to my 9th grader. She doesn't use Spelling Power either but has Worldly Wise 9.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
There's one more subject in that photo and it's Latin. I'm stubbornly using Ecce! Romani because I used it in high school myself and I like the inductive approach, especially for Latin. We did about 8 Chapters this year so we'll just pick up from there. <span style="background-color: white;">In addition, Fine Arts aren't really pictured but she will be studying them along Tapestry lines as well as taking a Drawing and Painting Class at co-op. </span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I realized later I should have taken a picture of all the teacher's guides I will be using. I'll be managing quite a bit with a student in each of Tapestry's 4 levels, teaching a little one how to read for the first time and helping two transition into new levels. This is one of the reasons I like Tapestry though; although they are at different levels they are all on the same subject in History and can be combined for many things, such as geography. But I still have to correct three math notebooks, two health books, English worksheets, etc. I do get scattered. We'll get behind schedule, but one of my goals this year is to do more of the hands-on projects that we love but didn't seem to find time for last year. Check back in the Fall to see if we also get a chance to blog it!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>Nomad Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05100397481621753693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300564972399864800.post-2476308344115639652012-06-14T14:27:00.001-04:002012-06-14T14:27:36.850-04:00Ocean Boxes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnGHvHzH2Y4fe0mf7IHba74ARnzJnFRRP5wGlvVTlMTAO06pnQ7Q4MeOFn933yiYb9cp6mjvRT0v0-2Y4MdVqfXSppJnU7jpWBEFAOSmN5onZ4TejN-FIrH87aHjkoxq8tacomd6ovz9E/s1600/100_4776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnGHvHzH2Y4fe0mf7IHba74ARnzJnFRRP5wGlvVTlMTAO06pnQ7Q4MeOFn933yiYb9cp6mjvRT0v0-2Y4MdVqfXSppJnU7jpWBEFAOSmN5onZ4TejN-FIrH87aHjkoxq8tacomd6ovz9E/s320/100_4776.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
This past year we studied Zoology using Apologia's Swimming Creatures Book. One of the project recommendations is to make an Ocean Box, progressively adding creatures to it as you learn about them. Here is a visual of the project for those who need some inspiration:<br />
<br />
We started our box in September with our homeschool co-op. The teacher brought in the blue paper. Here it has some dangling fish that we had around the house, and the big yellow thing is a submersible, part of a play set that The Little Princess has. The play set actually came with several of the marine animals that we needed, so we were inspired to use them all. Thus, the boat you see on top of the box below.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Well, the boat threw off the proportions of the whole thing, so in April we went with a bigger box. Here's what we ended up with:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAfdOEaBpWqhLrThYX75uAOnq5Kqy3pCULA0zVr-aVWWaAsgzfjkehXVgBhyXSC8fdwU7Csk8n64sz2lPGCfsydG-kh7_iqPXKw56YROdDiY7b0b_q70-yS6_su8ZrTJuYPN_CLQfz7IU/s1600/100_4777.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAfdOEaBpWqhLrThYX75uAOnq5Kqy3pCULA0zVr-aVWWaAsgzfjkehXVgBhyXSC8fdwU7Csk8n64sz2lPGCfsydG-kh7_iqPXKw56YROdDiY7b0b_q70-yS6_su8ZrTJuYPN_CLQfz7IU/s320/100_4777.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
For sand on the ocean floor, we<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVjDq0SaDV_ufltd8vBo2N9nY1B3zj8x_9kkR9au5BzUOfGw1rOA4-1Ybv5G3CJUEM-NBOqrXOIbUTng4HMkJHQp1vaiTz3ve9RsChIrVELqZ6By4ob2Y-9TgtdIBIYBIWQdBybxPQGPc/s1600/100_4778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVjDq0SaDV_ufltd8vBo2N9nY1B3zj8x_9kkR9au5BzUOfGw1rOA4-1Ybv5G3CJUEM-NBOqrXOIbUTng4HMkJHQp1vaiTz3ve9RsChIrVELqZ6By4ob2Y-9TgtdIBIYBIWQdBybxPQGPc/s320/100_4778.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
made some salt dough and just spread it around. We also put some on top to symbolize beach, where a seal was playing (we cut out the seal from a box of animal crackers). We put black construction paper on one corner of the box to make the midnight zone of the ocean, where we hung our angler fish. The whale was made from a small plastic flower pot (an idea I mooched from an Oriental Trading kit). We had some seashells to put into the sand, but The Girl also made one of modelling clay and out a pearl bead inside. Some other additions: fun foam sea animals from Little Princess, stuck to the back and sides, and a plastic wrap jellyfish. There are a modelling clay-and-toothpick Cnidarian (look it up; I can't remember!), some sand dollars, an eel, and some turtles. In addition, we had some collectible cards from our trip to Sea World in January and from National Geographic Kids that we cut out and stuck to the sides and back so that they popped out. On the top, next to the boat, an orca is leaping out of the water. The boat anchor goes through the box and dangles in the scene. The boat came with scuba divers, the submersible, a nautilus, giant crab, anglerfish and I think some other fish that we hung up with sticky tack.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDJAUdE7UEh42sP0kzUt9n_d-F6TxfPSo8lzW74TPTSnIhc-I2enqKkx2_KeQUPaUKIxek-JEC3bHV95ghBYZBUb-J4JiSLyEemJQjddLlUYlQM3xlzhBhB1rje2fY-LEXa1BoHbMXzPA/s1600/100_4840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDJAUdE7UEh42sP0kzUt9n_d-F6TxfPSo8lzW74TPTSnIhc-I2enqKkx2_KeQUPaUKIxek-JEC3bHV95ghBYZBUb-J4JiSLyEemJQjddLlUYlQM3xlzhBhB1rje2fY-LEXa1BoHbMXzPA/s640/100_4840.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Final Project the night of our Knowledge Fair. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
One thing I didn't get to do but wanted to was to add ocean sounds. Hubby has a tiny speaker that we have used with other presentations, and we were going to put it inside the boat with ocean sounds like dolphin calls, waves, etc, playing from an mp3 player. I had some technical difficulties with this on the day of the Knowledge Fair, so it didn't happen.<br />
<br />
Aside from that, though, I am really happy with how the box turned out and glad that we included this project as we went along. Most of all, I found that these two kids worked together on it remarkably well. If you know them well, you know that is saying something! This is our third Apologia Elementary Science course that they have worked on together, and they are finally getting the hang of cooperation! Next year, The Girl will be in Middle School science and The Mayor will have to use his cooperation skills on the Little Princess.Nomad Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05100397481621753693noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300564972399864800.post-74930878023424975742012-02-25T21:34:00.001-05:002012-02-25T21:34:30.882-05:00Recently, we've been taking a course on Spiritual Gifts for Sunday School. This is not the first time either Todd or myself has taken a spiritual gifts inventory, but it's a good subject to revisit from time to time. We also saw it as a pretty natural next step after taking membership at our new church, because we do want to fit into some ministries while we are here, though it may be for a short time.<br />
<br />
It's always sort of funny when we tell people that we really don't want to be around them much longer, and they understand that as a good thing. Since we feel we're making progress towards leaving the country with the support of many churches, people often ask us when we're leaving and then sort of pause and apologize for wishing that. It's ironic; we enjoy these people and are so glad to have them join us in our efforts, but at the same time we want to leave on this adventure already!! Likewise, when we visit the sending base people passing through would say "I hope you're not here the next time I come, " and we understand it as the best possible wish for us, even though it sounds so unflattering.<br />
<br />
That being said, we do wish to "plug- in" locally while we are here. So we are working with our class through a book about Spiritual gifts, which includes a tool for taking inventory, and lists of ways a person can use them. Now, there are about as many ways to interpret spiritual gifts as there are denominations. A more Pentecostal or charismatic church member likely describes the gifts of knowledge, tongues and interpretation somewhat differently than a member of a mainline denomination. That's okay; I learned a long time ago that each of these church personalities serves a purpose in the life of the whole Church. None are better than the other; just as different Christians have different gifts and personalities, different churches have them too. As long as we're working for the same Christ's Kingdom, it's all good. <br />
<br />
But the thing I am enjoying about this time around is the tri-color facet of the instrument we are using. They have broken down the gifts into three categories, or colors, that roughly line up with types of churches. I don't know if my pastor and Sunday School teacher reads my blog, but if he did, he would notice I've been reading ahead. It's just that interesting to me! (Yes, I took some Sociology courses in college.) So, Blue represents the more charismatic gifts: deliverance, discernment, faith, healing, etc. Red represents the gifts commonly found in the evangelical church: apostle, counselor, helper, teacher, leader, missionary. Finally, the green area are the liberal church (with my apologies to those who object to that label): artistic creativity, craftsmanship, organization and wisdom. <br />
<br />
A little background on myself to illuminate this topic. I grew up in the United Methodist Church, which certainly falls under the "liberal" green area. So did my husband. In college, I attended InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, a decidedly evangelical group in the red category. Todd was in the college ministry of Chi Alpha, the Assemblies of God, which is more Pentecostal. As a married couple we have found church homes in all three types by turns. <br />
<br />
So guess which categories our gifts fall into? To be completely honest, I can't remember Todd's right now. But mine go like this: 2 Red (Service and Missionary, no surprises there), 2 Green (Voluntary Poverty and Craftsmanship, and 1 Blue (Faith). I had a tied sixth one, suffering, but I'm not going to focus on that one. It's blue, though. I think it's very telling how my church background/experience is mirrored in this instrument. There's a second set of gifts that the inventory measures, the latent gifts, or areas where a person ought to experiment and see if there's a gifting. Mine are all green. Some of Todd's were blue; he's a wannabe Pentecostal. I'm looking forward to the part of the class where we talk about using our latent gifts. <br />
<br />
If you have never done an instrument like this, or it has been a long time and you can't remember what your gifts were, ask your pastor about having a class on it. Then, apply what you know and get to to work using your gifts. It's much more rewarding than working out of a feeling of obligation or because there was a need. God didn't give them to you to make you feel good; they're for the whole church to benefit. It can been very freeing to say "no" to something that's not a good fit so that you can work in your area of giftedness, although that's not a license to be lazy. It's permission to teach that class you always wanted to try, or to start that ministry or program that appeals to you. Let me know what you find out.Nomad Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05100397481621753693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300564972399864800.post-79021157784857282862011-11-14T16:14:00.001-05:002011-11-14T16:47:13.335-05:00Recap- Party #1The first party as both hostess and consultant worked out great! I had an interesting people from all the paths of my life: friends, neighbors, relatives, and homeschool moms who live nearby. My best friend Jamie came up from Albany and brought along her sister-in-law. I think I had ten guests here, but also had several orders from friends at church, neighbors and more moms who couldn't come on a Thursday night.<br />
<br />
The biggest hitch to the party was probably that I couldn't find an great place to stand in my living room, because it is long and narrow. From the best place to be seen by all, I wouldn't have any place to put my materials within easy reach. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQX-4wIDOOuPM798BsUVKCFTV7F4O14PevzW2Xo3_bhE0yYA-LCSmZ8RG92JKuzi7CkKTSMwnOFWWzK4llUUN5CXJg-uZ7h5-psEKDFVtff1f9d4ZsjCE9niSZc6bz_QaxQ4L3FQuH5cE/s1600/312758_172195576205558_118104931614623_350227_1628699168_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQX-4wIDOOuPM798BsUVKCFTV7F4O14PevzW2Xo3_bhE0yYA-LCSmZ8RG92JKuzi7CkKTSMwnOFWWzK4llUUN5CXJg-uZ7h5-psEKDFVtff1f9d4ZsjCE9niSZc6bz_QaxQ4L3FQuH5cE/s1600/312758_172195576205558_118104931614623_350227_1628699168_n.jpg" /></a>The party proceeded through the Five Senses tasting, and then I served the mousse I had made with the Swiss Bittersweet. It was delicious and so velvety! Daughter #2 gave us a generous helping of whipped cream with it, and since I had a lot of people, I served it in little cups and got 24 samples out of a recipe that should make 8-10 servings. Soooo good. Then we proceeded with the truffle samples, guided by the catalog page. The most popular truffles that evening were coffee and dark orange. <br />
<br />
Because this was my first party, I was both the hostess and the consultant. I thought it would be double-dipping to take the prizes as the hostess, but my supervisor assured me that the generous rewards were for me! I got the promised snowman truffles & Lindt Bears, as well as a nice credit and some half-price items that I used to order more supplies for future parties, like more coffee truffles & some dark peppermint! I am excitedly stalking my order on-line (the label has been printed), and waiting for it to arrive. My husband is stalking the the leftover samples and complaining about not getting any (because I need them for another party this Friday).<br />
<br />
When I began this adventure, I realized I had some serious Fear of Failure issues. All I wanted was to make back my investment and not crash and burn, having wasted the money. I am happy to say that I made my money back at my first party! So from here on, although I have to order supplies and things, I am making a profit. I have more events booked, and many more leads to follow up on, some sort of surprising! Now I fear that I won't be able to keep up with it! I know that business may not always be quite this good~ I am riding a wave of holiday gifting, etc., but I for now, it's going to be great. <br />
<br />
<br />Nomad Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05100397481621753693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300564972399864800.post-58162810394318285122011-11-09T22:56:00.002-05:002011-11-09T22:56:49.503-05:00First Chocolate PartyTomorrow is my first Lindt Chocolate Party. I have invited friends, family, neighbors and moms from co-op. I've asked them to bring friends, and I've sent reminders. I have three orders already! <br />
I picked out a chocolate mousse recipe to serve at the party, and my sweet hubby loaded our digital picture frame with a slide show of pictures of Lindt Chocolate- what better way for a techie to show his support! He also mopped the kitchen floor.<br />
<br />
Tomorrow I will clean some more, cook the mousse first thing in the day, and review all my materials so that I can look and sound like I know what I am doing. I am very excited about this project; it is a new and different kind of home business/party format- the most common response I get is, "There are <i>chocolate parties?</i>"<br />
I do have another party booked for next week. Response is positive. And I have resisted the urge to munch on my samples for an entire week...ok, I did eat one, but that was to find out what it was. It was research, really.<br />
<br />
If you happen to be curious about the catalog or becoming a consultant, there is a link in the right side sidebar to take you to my Lindt site.<br />
<br />Nomad Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05100397481621753693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300564972399864800.post-28427858464736427492011-11-05T15:37:00.000-04:002011-11-05T15:38:03.887-04:00TOG Year 2 Unit 1 Celebration<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9zI7Yp5Z3_Lj0wrMZVNiZ3JRm9-bqviTXvbfbkG2B3EIZE4QbTHBrrzGOrqYvq8nTO8fJbvTlE_3PEi04laoK616OiWSRQEKtO1rkjSFd8cRhbcfYMxRguNDpAnbxITNccuSSImp2eGw/s1600/100_4690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9zI7Yp5Z3_Lj0wrMZVNiZ3JRm9-bqviTXvbfbkG2B3EIZE4QbTHBrrzGOrqYvq8nTO8fJbvTlE_3PEi04laoK616OiWSRQEKtO1rkjSFd8cRhbcfYMxRguNDpAnbxITNccuSSImp2eGw/s200/100_4690.JPG" width="200" /></a>This week we celebrated the end of Unit 1 of our second year of Tapestry of Grace with a Medieval Feast. The feast was attended by the queen's mother, a jester, a couple of peasants, and a noble from a neighboring country. A knight recently returned from the holy land regaled the guests with tales of his travels, and the princesses of the court were basically in charge of the facilities and proceedings. Somehow, the appearance of the king and queen were not recorded. </div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjwhaZ-stKXBXqSNh-1KocMIZTOzlG53j-qUKybXMqbBrNa9Ssz0JrLuj7cma0GPIgcC3gzRw84oOKMW0U731kYcNp4ITH1UMO7qNrt4qK_0WGR_7ISCbVBPX_QevMweqle4PuCxqeVw/s1600/100_4697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjwhaZ-stKXBXqSNh-1KocMIZTOzlG53j-qUKybXMqbBrNa9Ssz0JrLuj7cma0GPIgcC3gzRw84oOKMW0U731kYcNp4ITH1UMO7qNrt4qK_0WGR_7ISCbVBPX_QevMweqle4PuCxqeVw/s200/100_4697.JPG" width="200" /></a>The Royal Menu: Cider, Mead, Rose Petal Bread, Cabbage Stew, a variety of cheeses and leafy greens, pheasant (fried chicken from the deli at Hannaford) and Boar's head (canned ham).</div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyBULYzpnvEYYsSOK8S_ip45ucV8qC_OVGcTW2FBZ78Wg0LdMEpFUrI2739ndBoxwQaRvjEo9xxcf7deLMt28auGFHEZvTrvlt8U6Ni_-sx3oDomyD2FU2CsDONpY_Qab5u3gGdtvHCQU/s1600/100_4691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyBULYzpnvEYYsSOK8S_ip45ucV8qC_OVGcTW2FBZ78Wg0LdMEpFUrI2739ndBoxwQaRvjEo9xxcf7deLMt28auGFHEZvTrvlt8U6Ni_-sx3oDomyD2FU2CsDONpY_Qab5u3gGdtvHCQU/s200/100_4691.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqLfYJ0Ihl0ItDXTMD9-JMS95nspIcBdaq29qw6Eq93170KO24hyphenhyphenw9eEg8x5gyuEUDB9I_KbC70uX8MfxJWN8nF6phKjZSK_vehwwUrphJDqk83CY8UDPJu_awKjTlrrJCqXU3KEWQ6wc/s1600/100_4694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqLfYJ0Ihl0ItDXTMD9-JMS95nspIcBdaq29qw6Eq93170KO24hyphenhyphenw9eEg8x5gyuEUDB9I_KbC70uX8MfxJWN8nF6phKjZSK_vehwwUrphJDqk83CY8UDPJu_awKjTlrrJCqXU3KEWQ6wc/s200/100_4694.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0eincSzuPb4ZTcZALSPzkuewDj8F-NqgNviSYQ8Gyh4PJvDaUk9s97km0pwoHLl43TrPGQutkBnhO9XzZM73-oCCATjUb31ZDlRcNiIk_mmbiY_H2PP7dcp7dneSZNKHfXN73CEBoeJ8/s1600/100_4692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0eincSzuPb4ZTcZALSPzkuewDj8F-NqgNviSYQ8Gyh4PJvDaUk9s97km0pwoHLl43TrPGQutkBnhO9XzZM73-oCCATjUb31ZDlRcNiIk_mmbiY_H2PP7dcp7dneSZNKHfXN73CEBoeJ8/s200/100_4692.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6jPw5f7_qbelqyNJDI14PsrrZLKRnMLkLtQhowS7Zka49VIF5VJ33c0bP2xamKkNCDCrqcM0Mdu95f6yBsLfYFFuZU6n8TKEPzQXkKeYIYzDoS7Pmbp9FaeAjftvb2FF5I1kdUEZsWf4/s1600/100_4693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6jPw5f7_qbelqyNJDI14PsrrZLKRnMLkLtQhowS7Zka49VIF5VJ33c0bP2xamKkNCDCrqcM0Mdu95f6yBsLfYFFuZU6n8TKEPzQXkKeYIYzDoS7Pmbp9FaeAjftvb2FF5I1kdUEZsWf4/s200/100_4693.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvjC6rIh-m1Km6RKpquHv4faiOX7GSilg_UwzRlGwf75EIy45fZ-_6Qzy9GqKMIwoAdqOu-QMDlyFmunXPMfwjo4TqXuxpo9Cn76wW9YDWxpjndV6LNcuT9zL8wdBHSnKcouRr7a1OaRQ/s1600/100_4695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvjC6rIh-m1Km6RKpquHv4faiOX7GSilg_UwzRlGwf75EIy45fZ-_6Qzy9GqKMIwoAdqOu-QMDlyFmunXPMfwjo4TqXuxpo9Cn76wW9YDWxpjndV6LNcuT9zL8wdBHSnKcouRr7a1OaRQ/s200/100_4695.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwZ3x1Hu_M5ddQewbxwgwK4Na_JstoCFHRQkqN3Ge1jbl5YP7NHIbR2QwhafGZ84BomTJItVcFVrxf5QsSgcCwleEbnQu6u8y1hZKNhc0ZorD94qwQSrv2cfmPVseKoi0i69OlwtOzKK0/s1600/100_4700.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwZ3x1Hu_M5ddQewbxwgwK4Na_JstoCFHRQkqN3Ge1jbl5YP7NHIbR2QwhafGZ84BomTJItVcFVrxf5QsSgcCwleEbnQu6u8y1hZKNhc0ZorD94qwQSrv2cfmPVseKoi0i69OlwtOzKK0/s200/100_4700.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitKLUgqvxOv9_Kyb-FhVP_PNutlyC-nhITlsy4EQ7B9cbdG0WbFOeZckS13zNkfY4gxVsGAhJD6v5A42PWPYQ5D1oSAQFwdwpLR7uQteWFcsCu0EPc_HmHXsRKwqEB5lnEirohAbdExN4/s1600/100_4698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitKLUgqvxOv9_Kyb-FhVP_PNutlyC-nhITlsy4EQ7B9cbdG0WbFOeZckS13zNkfY4gxVsGAhJD6v5A42PWPYQ5D1oSAQFwdwpLR7uQteWFcsCu0EPc_HmHXsRKwqEB5lnEirohAbdExN4/s200/100_4698.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
After the meal, festivities adjourned outdoors for an archery demonstration and a joust. One of the princesses converted to a Joan of Arc, and the other to a Viking warrior (you may notice it's Astrid from How to Train your Dragon- I found the costume at an Impact Thrift Store on our recent trip to PA and didn't realize what it was.) It did the job though! </div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvVHXgJW_WHAUzq_ErgMnRWm5ALEXxbtq_rkvv35dkkbxZ1ZcpgCbHpTQaJVESnN3y2nUeD89IKrAeJ0Oo104Vj0DlmFsdQHO9XLW6XE9IQ9syh5NdWesuO9BSeq6IrW4zoNNCv4BWLjo/s1600/100_4702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvVHXgJW_WHAUzq_ErgMnRWm5ALEXxbtq_rkvv35dkkbxZ1ZcpgCbHpTQaJVESnN3y2nUeD89IKrAeJ0Oo104Vj0DlmFsdQHO9XLW6XE9IQ9syh5NdWesuO9BSeq6IrW4zoNNCv4BWLjo/s320/100_4702.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPjlNbrnuCrSYW8e03yvq-EZ5nDIINQTFMx29iX-I4tfHKqEeLOsMS-QvCdTdAoD1d2GvhbwnGQqRbXbyK-wD7yoIORklyzv6gXNdC33eubVjiYHemUB95WOyLHZWOIRSf_SZA0rJhxhI/s1600/100_4703.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvtDZIu3gcjq8c4BQ_9yDfrijl_00-rPAURxdiY9yLsk4MRmM1ipZyabZk3p1xA7qOI0GSXYRKH2opFPVBhAsBB25KEtdOpV9ZnLcXYyc3xmlsFXFjimO808LJUYK1P28B61AJu3xFse8/s1600/100_4705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvtDZIu3gcjq8c4BQ_9yDfrijl_00-rPAURxdiY9yLsk4MRmM1ipZyabZk3p1xA7qOI0GSXYRKH2opFPVBhAsBB25KEtdOpV9ZnLcXYyc3xmlsFXFjimO808LJUYK1P28B61AJu3xFse8/s320/100_4705.JPG" width="240" /></a><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPjlNbrnuCrSYW8e03yvq-EZ5nDIINQTFMx29iX-I4tfHKqEeLOsMS-QvCdTdAoD1d2GvhbwnGQqRbXbyK-wD7yoIORklyzv6gXNdC33eubVjiYHemUB95WOyLHZWOIRSf_SZA0rJhxhI/s320/100_4703.JPG" width="240" /><br />
<br />
We played some games, the names of which I do not recall, and then came back inside to play Medieval Games on the Wii (it was chilly out after all). <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7JNP5MiY1cnz4I4SY0NxHrhHPwGL6pRsxyBRHjN8ix4oqbPcHeXNdktb1ZvpBIaK_f1UDKF9Zwhsi5ntyTd6DqpjmXsgXYXBGxGCqbckXtpwDq-olTaqJ5evKlZN4fISAwaY2vTpGgeQ/s1600/100_4704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7JNP5MiY1cnz4I4SY0NxHrhHPwGL6pRsxyBRHjN8ix4oqbPcHeXNdktb1ZvpBIaK_f1UDKF9Zwhsi5ntyTd6DqpjmXsgXYXBGxGCqbckXtpwDq-olTaqJ5evKlZN4fISAwaY2vTpGgeQ/s320/100_4704.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Nomad Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05100397481621753693noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300564972399864800.post-65394681056981169872011-10-26T22:13:00.002-04:002011-10-26T22:13:24.573-04:00New Home BusinessI've got a new subject to blog about. Today, I became a Lindt Chocolate R.S.V.P. Consultant. I'll be doing home parties etc. like you see with jewelry, dishware, purses, etc. I have never done anything like this before, but it seems like a good idea. I've been looking for something "me" to do. So, if you live nearby and would like to have a fun night sitting with some girlfriends eating chocolate (and really, why wouldn't you?), let's talk. I should have my starter kit in about a week's time, and now I am busily preparing and watching videos. <br />
<br />
I think it will be fun to chronicle my experience here. so this may be the beginning of a series.<br />
<br />Nomad Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05100397481621753693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300564972399864800.post-66470618619003007642011-10-18T11:20:00.001-04:002014-05-19T15:33:31.334-04:00The View from Buck Mountain<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOQyJ4mHwyXXgxpWSMju9QP9cyzfnd1_awhwB44BTNNL2OBipcqk0ZHqcrII0sYAUaCuY2GfpqjO6TC9cV8_ygZRMBRpC0HM34tyXZvqBGJS7CX7aELjOteO_DDdTU8TtafSIt7VEHmCI/s1600/IMG_0849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOQyJ4mHwyXXgxpWSMju9QP9cyzfnd1_awhwB44BTNNL2OBipcqk0ZHqcrII0sYAUaCuY2GfpqjO6TC9cV8_ygZRMBRpC0HM34tyXZvqBGJS7CX7aELjOteO_DDdTU8TtafSIt7VEHmCI/s320/IMG_0849.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
For Todd's birthday we climbed a mountain, something he would like to have done more of during this busy, busy summer. Sadly, we were a week ahead of getting really prime fall foliage colors. The weather was nice, warm enough to sweat a little while climbing but not terribly hot. The walk itself was muddy, since the weather has been so wet this year. We crossed streams and slimy patches on rocks and wet logs. When we got near the top, other hikers on their way down congratulated Little Princess for her success. She definitely started to lose her steam and needed some encouragement right about there!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindLZyBJGL3ulxa44VNmUfWuFhs4asT1BJRbj0dgyjyzO3eJABp9O4-PQfBfmJ8-Jl3dqgMPMPpqYFjiZbsldB8h7Aug2S1n6FpBWxu-qSwbBAG5btMjV0mAMUOv8AvoZ3NRDoLn9xGzc/s1600/IMG_0856.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindLZyBJGL3ulxa44VNmUfWuFhs4asT1BJRbj0dgyjyzO3eJABp9O4-PQfBfmJ8-Jl3dqgMPMPpqYFjiZbsldB8h7Aug2S1n6FpBWxu-qSwbBAG5btMjV0mAMUOv8AvoZ3NRDoLn9xGzc/s320/IMG_0856.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Buck Mountain is on the East side of Lake George. From the top we watched speed boats and sail boats on the Lake and pointed out The Sagamore resort and The Narrows. It was a hazy day. The breeze at the top felt chilly! All told the climb took us about 5 hours, average speed 1 mile per hour. Some of us have long legs, but one of us doesn't! We didn't spend too much time at the top, since we didn't get started until after lunch and it would have gotten dark if we had waited much longer. <br />
This was an excellent way to spend a Sunday afternoon in October and we recommend it to all our able-bodied friends!Nomad Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05100397481621753693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300564972399864800.post-36825795544398908312011-10-11T08:32:00.001-04:002011-10-11T08:32:20.585-04:00My BaptismI rarely do anything the usual way. I guess my parents raised a non-conformist, and if I had to guess I'd say it was on purpose. (Although I must confess I struggle with this habit all the time. I don't always want to stand out, but I am who I am.) I've been told I think differently at Bible study, and that we didn't get called to our ministry overseas in the "right" way. (We got type of ministry first, love for country later.) So, it should come as no surprise to those who know me that, weeks before my 36th birthday, having considered myself a Christian all my life, I got baptized last week.<br />
<br />
I'm no expert on all the traditions of the denominations, but the "usual" ways of baptism might be these: 1. Infant baptism, which was done for me by sprinkling, 2. Teenage baptism, by whatever means but usually when a child is considered old enough for an adult decision (13 or 14?). 3. Adult baptism, by either means, usually when a person has just become a Christian or has experienced a major change in heart and desires a public re-commitment.<br />
<br />
I haven't had any major leaps of faith lately. Certainly, God is at work every day in me, but the basic idea that I am a believer in Christ has not changed. When I was in college I felt like I learned who Jesus actually was for the first time and had to ask myself whether I'd still follow Him under the new definition. So if I made an adult decision I made it then, but without fanfare. It was no public event, nor have I a date to cite as some do. <br />
<br />
I knew when my kids were born that I wanted them to have the experience of adult baptism, and they were dedicated as infants instead. For some of their births we were in a church that practiced dedication, but for the younger ones we were in the same denomination where we were both sprinkled as infants. At that time we went with the non-conformist route and asked that they be dedicated anyway. We had accommodating pastors for this. Two of the kids then decided to ask for baptism when they were 7 or 8, so they were sprinkled. They were old enough to agree with their dedication then that they wanted to remain in the church, and I didn't want to hold them back from this expression of faith. I do still hope that they will want an immersion baptism when they are older.<br />
<br />
Why, then, decide 18 years later to have an immersion baptism? In truth I have wanted that for quite some time. In preparation for graduate school I took a theology class and came to understand the nature of the idea and the different understandings of baptism for myself for the first time. The debate over the idea of Re-baptism (or the Anabaptist movement) was actually a Pretty Big Deal in church history. I am thankful that we've come to a place in history where we can agree to disagree on these things, and nobody dies. My personal decision and the one in place for our kids is that Biblical baptism took place when an adult made a decision. People have set in place other traditions and meanings for this, and these have made sense to them in their time and setting. But I wanted the experience that most closely resembled the early church.<br />
<br />
Having decided that so long ago, I have attended several baptism services where I wished I could participate. It seemed wrong to agree in principle with it, yet to never have done it. Sometimes, I had missed the opportunity to prepare for it (a required class or interview), or was a guest at the church where it was happening. Basically, I hadn't pursued it because I was waiting for Todd to agree with me and join me. He had basically the same experience as I did with infant baptism and adult decision. For a variety of reasons that are his own, he wasn't ready to join the Anabaptist movement until the opportunity presented itself again two weeks ago. We got the call on a Thursday, confirmed that we wanted to do it on Friday, and were baptized on Sunday. <br />
I know that this ritual only confirms something that took place in my heart, and works no magic of itself. Christ regenerated me, not the bath. But it feels good to bring my experience in line with my beliefs. Nomad Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05100397481621753693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300564972399864800.post-78154581151462641462011-09-05T16:58:00.001-04:002014-05-19T15:33:38.695-04:00Washington County Fair 2011<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwT78bTVj48MB7D25PiX-LvJrB8IpWdJyWyutjCY3CSM9D6GID1SN6iaSxOpIDlSuhXvk7061auDFmPIyEoXXQonNry9HOVrK8cDstImbHE6uEpz7IF0ybKUFQU0wh1yItaZvNSQH87AM/s1600/100_4586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwT78bTVj48MB7D25PiX-LvJrB8IpWdJyWyutjCY3CSM9D6GID1SN6iaSxOpIDlSuhXvk7061auDFmPIyEoXXQonNry9HOVrK8cDstImbHE6uEpz7IF0ybKUFQU0wh1yItaZvNSQH87AM/s320/100_4586.JPG" width="320" /></a>One Friday morning, as I was getting dressed, I heard a knock on my bedroom door. "Mommy, can you wear tie-dye? Please?"<br />
<br />
With a little borrowing and trading, we all loaded into the car, properly attired, and headed for Greenwich, NY- to the Washington County Fair. Washington County happens to be very agricultural, and as a result, this fair is one of the best. Anywhere. Todd and I learned firsthand how sad a County fair can be when we were living in Wheaton, Il, and attended an itty-bitty one. A midway, a flea market and a couple of food stands. Very disappointing!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzkc2KwU3pXexCnYHiJRyZyd7yTNgNuP2MvOnoWbxkPfAPFHdfzJndHDUSFdSIJz6HvTRaKaYIo8AVB8m4GgRqW1JKvfDuKRJgt1IF7hmMG21iYYhnphU__molHMPzQtX0iHD-tMcYMa0/s1600/100_4596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzkc2KwU3pXexCnYHiJRyZyd7yTNgNuP2MvOnoWbxkPfAPFHdfzJndHDUSFdSIJz6HvTRaKaYIo8AVB8m4GgRqW1JKvfDuKRJgt1IF7hmMG21iYYhnphU__molHMPzQtX0iHD-tMcYMa0/s320/100_4596.JPG" width="320" /></a>The Washington County Fair also happens to be the site of one of the worst e. coli outbreaks in American History, which is why you see lots of these:<br />
<br />
<br />
But don't worry, I believe it's now the cleanest, safest Fair in History as well. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
We didn't go to the Fair for the rides. Too expensive! Each kid got one, because we are misers. They are 4 tickets each, and tickets are $1.00! Are you kidding me! We could have gone on a Ride-all-day-for-$20 Day, but it still would have run us $100 before food to do that. We decided the kids were content to enjoy the rest of it and skipped the midway for the most part.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGMYRoQja3pUv-C2_kjjm1RwBUF7kSrKSFi9-FbPDH3nl9oHlc4fNk1UEg4_vCUmhszvpo3brqDbrsVF3b8uJZb2x5Ue4AfrP9jAd2H9s74L2X53DvKnbhohc9faJW4e7V6glTp9Tbirs/s1600/100_4587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGMYRoQja3pUv-C2_kjjm1RwBUF7kSrKSFi9-FbPDH3nl9oHlc4fNk1UEg4_vCUmhszvpo3brqDbrsVF3b8uJZb2x5Ue4AfrP9jAd2H9s74L2X53DvKnbhohc9faJW4e7V6glTp9Tbirs/s320/100_4587.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
First, we attended the tractor pull, but that was mostly just so that we could say we did. No one seemed to "get" it. Besides, at 10am those bleachers were right in the hot sun. Moving on, we saw some pig races and wiener dog races. of course there was also a "magic" show to watch, which was more song and dance. We visited the barns and milked a phony cow. We also got some chocolate milk from the Creamery table and some cheese samples. We are all about the free food.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNzLFhHPPT1ZY8_WOCka5jNva-gCy3INcOXYePAAPQbJWTKdJjgy8JqZxV1lujKb6bLvN2ZWOPT444WMA3g_mh1ZENV1cQCHWk2VZFw_7CV7a85Ovhr0ccy4O6Tfuv23eJbBm0LECtL_w/s1600/100_4593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNzLFhHPPT1ZY8_WOCka5jNva-gCy3INcOXYePAAPQbJWTKdJjgy8JqZxV1lujKb6bLvN2ZWOPT444WMA3g_mh1ZENV1cQCHWk2VZFw_7CV7a85Ovhr0ccy4O6Tfuv23eJbBm0LECtL_w/s200/100_4593.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
I personally like the barn full of poultry and bunnies. There were some unusual animals in there! I couldn't help but take pictures. <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz4Q1ScNnXi-YqXhkFXR3mYNZp1g3R4ciWSCkNWal7CoW7cuCdFuRl3yjLi8MOigbc7VGAbbtyc1zKvmBJWyvLfc_2EqOO06ApeOsbMgEAYu2l1Tzn_53lhhOh-A3AWhIlol9CgHYjrxE/s1600/100_4592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz4Q1ScNnXi-YqXhkFXR3mYNZp1g3R4ciWSCkNWal7CoW7cuCdFuRl3yjLi8MOigbc7VGAbbtyc1zKvmBJWyvLfc_2EqOO06ApeOsbMgEAYu2l1Tzn_53lhhOh-A3AWhIlol9CgHYjrxE/s200/100_4592.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This bunny thinks he is a Siamese cat.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-NDZXyX7RExJQASr_Jvk5iSUv60NuHhaSOz7Ex5xqojj8WxIST-u46n34e2-TdbVd-6G8_Kl3nR72-MD-CX82yreiO7VwbjnkmuM4Z7k_xUdTwceKrEyFTnSjs_Ctr52rOjAOagjUN8k/s1600/100_4591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-NDZXyX7RExJQASr_Jvk5iSUv60NuHhaSOz7Ex5xqojj8WxIST-u46n34e2-TdbVd-6G8_Kl3nR72-MD-CX82yreiO7VwbjnkmuM4Z7k_xUdTwceKrEyFTnSjs_Ctr52rOjAOagjUN8k/s200/100_4591.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some kind of rooster. Very special.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgil7BOaLK2BmNgkgGkiDPz49rXEUlU7OoaGetiCgicTNqx-j8yZU-zzY0AZaBzNLAi9k1tEP9c44hnJA7j2IlaF0M0ZP2Zgo1IEGZnLsTdg_oHdfvW2M2qQ1qxGSb1yXVPlDwL6-pNdcc/s1600/100_4594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgil7BOaLK2BmNgkgGkiDPz49rXEUlU7OoaGetiCgicTNqx-j8yZU-zzY0AZaBzNLAi9k1tEP9c44hnJA7j2IlaF0M0ZP2Zgo1IEGZnLsTdg_oHdfvW2M2qQ1qxGSb1yXVPlDwL6-pNdcc/s200/100_4594.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pheasant? Quail? can't remember.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1h2EYZnZaHvvc5BZRQy7xOVXf8WNA_CAkmX8AxgqXXiifp00MQoh1I4cToqFgMOo9CBfDwsf7_pRFQUcM6YO8w4sfmlI6tLktxGfTKaW1uQyN33fedb7kFkgG1Z0kXFds2Htbj0v3tzI/s1600/100_4590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1h2EYZnZaHvvc5BZRQy7xOVXf8WNA_CAkmX8AxgqXXiifp00MQoh1I4cToqFgMOo9CBfDwsf7_pRFQUcM6YO8w4sfmlI6tLktxGfTKaW1uQyN33fedb7kFkgG1Z0kXFds2Htbj0v3tzI/s320/100_4590.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I took this picture because The Little Princess said these were her favorite. Different barn, of course. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrLvDkersfiScAaMSEjXJCgGPbkWsoK13iqDPlztLwnVnnHyBn9-mCzavYwPOOy3_qSJ9ilpwhH7DxuKcdZD_-A43RRarf9Epu8sx7ht1fwOHz9ERQ2ce2bOwiOhyphenhyphendDJDlR5jIZJz0VjI/s1600/100_4597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrLvDkersfiScAaMSEjXJCgGPbkWsoK13iqDPlztLwnVnnHyBn9-mCzavYwPOOy3_qSJ9ilpwhH7DxuKcdZD_-A43RRarf9Epu8sx7ht1fwOHz9ERQ2ce2bOwiOhyphenhyphendDJDlR5jIZJz0VjI/s320/100_4597.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
We also visited the local sheriff's office, where the kids got little picture ID's made. Complete with fingerprints. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Our fair food choices were maple cotton candy, lemonade, cheese fries...it's one of those times when you just don't think about the fat content. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwHliYC0tR8WVtm6ILy2G242R7fvXnaI_ndMfmS9E40qlTHesayqfG8o82jHH0-pLSq0OlHu3MEmvpBCOvRxlXDCPjFix7cySuFlzEmrfp-gcR4NSAS5tNAiTnQ-U0nEy858lLIWnVe8Y/s1600/100_1871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwHliYC0tR8WVtm6ILy2G242R7fvXnaI_ndMfmS9E40qlTHesayqfG8o82jHH0-pLSq0OlHu3MEmvpBCOvRxlXDCPjFix7cySuFlzEmrfp-gcR4NSAS5tNAiTnQ-U0nEy858lLIWnVe8Y/s320/100_1871.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjOjBVMrYenBOlvbHKhxZ2e4xzeEUtw-Da94VcSaLzQaFMGyOFOjqwUKL-Ozzjj75p1mzmQK0jbsGAxjIOStp8Ue-QCbRne1HATRtrUIYXr-MFqdYJq7xJFTIl_eT2Yqtr-OqJowBzIdA/s1600/100_1854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjOjBVMrYenBOlvbHKhxZ2e4xzeEUtw-Da94VcSaLzQaFMGyOFOjqwUKL-Ozzjj75p1mzmQK0jbsGAxjIOStp8Ue-QCbRne1HATRtrUIYXr-MFqdYJq7xJFTIl_eT2Yqtr-OqJowBzIdA/s320/100_1854.JPG" width="320" /></a>Towards the end of our time we discovered the 4H youth scavenger hunt. Some of the items on it we had already seen, but we had to finish it so that led us to find the draft animals barn, which we wouldn't have seen otherwise. <br />
At the petting zoo, The Giant and The Girl held baby chicks and killed them. (They say they just went to sleep, but I am not sure.) <br />
<br />
Then for a finale, we got our free ice cream from Stewarts (full size cones!) and went to watch the acrobats. <br />
<br />
This woman was performing above nothing but concrete and it scared me. Also, I strongly wish she had more clothes on. I mean, is that really necessary? Is it impossible to do a circus act with you bum covered?<br />
<br />
By then, it was 5:30 and we had spent more than 6 hours at the fair. People started pouring in the gates for the evening. We were glad it was time to go. That was enough fair for one year.Nomad Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05100397481621753693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300564972399864800.post-303267952357753372011-09-02T21:39:00.000-04:002011-09-02T21:39:02.190-04:00No Longer Gluten-freeWhen The Mayor had a birthday back in June, I allowed him and the Princess to go off of their gluten free diets. We to this occasionally to see what happens. Since we don't have a diagnosis of genetic celiac disease, the hope has always been that they would grow out of it. I was allergic to wheat as a kid, but I started being able to tolerate it about the time I started kindergarten. So, we had reason to hope that things would go the same way for him, and then, both of them. <br />
<br />
<br />
But the age of 5 came and went with no change in The Mayor. Last spring when we tried it, he said that he felt fine, but I could tell that he was bloated, his eyes looked puffy, and, well, his bathroom habits changed. If this seems like too much information, I'm sorry, but I am writing it to help others who might be struggling with the same thing. It started to look like he was not going to be OK, so back on the diet they went. it was even more obvious with The Princess, who wasn't using the bathroom alone yet.<br />
<br />
Back to this year. A few weeks after they went on a regular (but vegetarian), diet, The Princess was obviously uncomfortable again so we took away her gluten. I reported all this to the NP we see for their physicals and told her that I was ready to pursue testing with an endoscopy of necessary to find out for sure that they were, or were not, going to be gluten free forever. As it turns out, you have to see a pediatric GI specialist to get an endoscopy, and they don't have those at our local hospitals, so I took them to Dr. Betzhold. The office was kind enough to get them back to back starter appointments.<br />
<br />
They ran bloodwork on The Mayor that day, because he had been eating a normal diet. The plan was that if it showed any immune response to that diet, the decision might be made to do the endoscopy. If he had a very strong reaction, an endoscopy wouldn't be necessary, and if he had no reaction, he would be cleared. No endoscopy, no celiac, no diet. to be specific, this bloodwork was for immunology, not genetic evidence. he had genetic workup done when he was about 4 years old, but it showed he carried one gene and not the other, which is inconclusive. That was why I thought we needed an endoscopy for a definitive diagnosis. <br />
We don't need one though, because they called a week after the initial appointment to say that his labs showed no response to the gluten. He feels fine, so he is fine! We can chalk up his earlier problems to am immature digestive tract. They want to do labs again in six months to confirm.<br />
<br />
The Princess couldn't be tested that day because she had been on a gluten-free diet. Dr. Betzhold advised her to eat a (gluten) cookie a day for six weeks, and then come back for a blood test, rather than eat a full regular diet and feel very sick. She has been very careful to make sure she gets her cookie every day! Unfortunately, I can tell she's been eating cookies because she clearly doesn't feel well. I don't know if her current spate of the crankies is related to it, but the um...other evidence, is present. She'll get her bloodwork in late September.<br />
<br />
I'm glad to have one less child on a special diet. There are a great many gluten-free products on the market, and they taste pretty good, a huge improvement over the late 1970's options according to my mother. I remember crumbly rice flour cakes laced with coconut to moisten them. I'm still not a fan of coconut... But these miracle foods are expensive, and most vegetarian meat substitutes contain gluten, which limits the options. And boy can that boy put it away! So, I'm happy for him and for me! For a long time we had this issue on our prayer cards, so I want to thank everyone who was faithful in praying for The Mayor's tummy to heal! Please, keep it up for the Princess!Nomad Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05100397481621753693noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300564972399864800.post-71813843012184354202011-07-24T21:26:00.000-04:002011-07-24T21:26:57.863-04:00GardenThere are many reasons for me to be thankful about living where I am; I am pondering a top ten list with photos some time. But for now, I just want to mention how happy I am to be gardening this year.<br />
<br />
When we owned our little house, I had a garden. I didn't take good care of it. I got tomatoes with black spots on them, and weird little curled up cucumbers. I was told the latter was from not watering evenly, which is exactly what I did. We had sandy soil and I would get bored with the garden by mid summer, go on vacation, and forget all about it. Lame, I know. It would just get away from me. I didn't weed it enough.<br />
<br />
One fall, I raked all the leaves from our one-acre plot onto the garden. This is really saying something; only raked the front half of the yard, but we had a lot of leafy trees and dragged tarp-load after tarp-load onto the tarp-sized garden. Then, on a poorly chosen day, I got bored and dropped a match on it. Since the leaves were too many to be tilled under, I thought I'd hasten their decay with fire. Did I mention we lived in a no-open burning Town? Or that it was a very windy day?<br />
I didn't burn the house down, cause a wildfire or get a ticket. But I'd get a driveway from the fire department, after the wind picked up the think smoke of damp leaves and carried it across the road at the front of our house. <i>Hi,guys. Thanks for swinging by. Nothing to see here. I've got my garden hose and it's all under control. </i> <br />
<br />
The last four years we've been in such a state of flux that planting a garden was out of the question. We weren't staying anywhere long enough to see it through, or weren't in the same place in the spring that we would be in the summer. There are garden spaces on the campus where we stayed last summer, but we weren't there in spring and didn't know how long we'd stay. I thought about it several times and would have liked to have a plot, but it just wasn't an option.<br />
<br />
So this year I've got the space that was my father-in-law's garden. Since, you know, we're living in their house, and they are not here. So I get to have a garden again. I'm still not very good at it, but I'm doing two things differently. One, I caved and used the black plastic layer over the dirt, so there'a whole lot less weeding to think about. This always struck me as a lazy way to garden, but this year I've come to terms with the fact that I <i>am</i> lazy! At least on hot, sunny summer days. So, black plastic garden it is! Caution: hot on bare feet, but so is the sand under it so that's no difference. The second thing that's different is that I can see the garden from the house! Makes a huge difference, no kidding! From my spot at this desk I can see whether the garden is wilting in the heat, and needs the sprinkler turned on. From upstairs, I can look out in the morning and see all the blossoms opened up to the sun. Some of them are huge! And it's just a nice feeling to see that there, it makes we want to keep it happy.<br />
<br />
When I planted the garden, I didn't keep a good track of what I put in. Yup, still lazy. Also, it poured buckets the next day and I think some of the seeds just plain got washed away. So the spinach, lettuce and pepper plants from seed didn't turn up. Peas that my husband insisted on having did. But, they came up a bit close to the zucchini & squash, so now they're all tangled up. Still getting some peas, though. I see no sign of the green beans. And the onions got overwhelmed (covered up) by the loose plastic, so I don't think they are doing anything either.<br />
So, what've I got in that garden? Cucumbers. And they were even growing straight up until a couple of says ago. We've got mounds of them! I have long ones that are from plants I got from a nursery down the road, and in the spots where I planted from seed I've got stubby, fat and prickly ones that look like they want to be huge pickles. I didn't think the plants were big enough to have fruit yet but I went out one day and there were 5 huge cucumbers! They must be loving the very rainy month of June and early July we had. I'm still deciding whether to try pickling, as the stove here is glass top and you're not supposed to use a canning contraption on it. I have zucchini, and as much as I swore I was only growing a few because I didn't want to be inundated with them, here we are buried under gigantic zukes that become gargantuan overnight when you didn't even know they were there! Zucchini bread, anyone? <br />
<br />
I also have a variety of peppers that we got from down the road- they were payment for some work hubby did - Bulgarian carrot chiles, purple jalapenos,banana peppers. No regular green or red peppers. Not sure what to do with these yet besides make chili- but I will probably make poppers at some point. We've also got medium sized tomatoes that don't want to get red, and totmatillos- had to google to find out how to know when they are ripe. Right now they are just big green empty skins. We may get to make salsa. I have pumpkins that were supposed to be pie pumpkins but appear way too big to be pie pumpkins already, something that might be a watermelon, and a huge vine that's a member of the squash family and it going right over the outside edge of the garden and up the fence, but has no fruit on it yet. As I said, I don't remember what I put where, so the jury is out on what that is. Oh, and I am pretty sure I have an acorn squash, too. <br />
<br />
The Mayor wanted corn so there's a couple short rows of that, and in between them I planted garlic. (I planted the corn twice because the first batch didn't do anything.) I know you're supposed to plant garlic in the fall, but they come in huge quantities, so I saved some for later but I tried some for now, too. I hope to replant with spinach and lettuce crops for the fall weather, so I'll do more garlic then. If there's one food item you go through a lot of cooking vegetarian cuisine, it's onions and garlic. And really, the garden should be a kitchen garden, stuff that I will use, shouldn't it?<br />
<br />
I enjoyed making pie from fresh pumpkins last fall, so it looks like I'll be doing a bunch more of that. Sign up now for your thanksgiving dessert!Nomad Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05100397481621753693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300564972399864800.post-48883046188687041342011-07-01T19:40:00.002-04:002011-07-02T11:26:43.489-04:00Lost and FoundA few months ago, it came to my attention that The Girl was storing quite a lot of stuff in <i>my</i> purse. I have always resisted the "mom is a pack mule" mindset- not that I don't carry a large bag, but I don't need everyone trying to hand me their bulletins after church, or their various and sundry articles. No. What I've got in there is MINE, unless you're an infant in diapers.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8h58rcoKz8QGhbLFzTXJO_OGKz0EJG3l6lD2yW12nFhnnm5TkVQ0LmUn7nBwm6SlCUJ6u4BRxa-8x_JHyN21RKRNwjeVEbxHrcsx9Y7AkjEAgIFBZQJBC7UmEtw6hCw66chV5Z7J6chI/s1600/100_4543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8h58rcoKz8QGhbLFzTXJO_OGKz0EJG3l6lD2yW12nFhnnm5TkVQ0LmUn7nBwm6SlCUJ6u4BRxa-8x_JHyN21RKRNwjeVEbxHrcsx9Y7AkjEAgIFBZQJBC7UmEtw6hCw66chV5Z7J6chI/s400/100_4543.JPG" width="300" /></a>So I told The Girl I thought it was about time she got her own purse. "Really!" SQueeee! Who knew that this observation would cause so much glee! She didn't just pull out a kid's purse from under the bed. We went shopping. Carefully. At great length, we found the purse at Penney's on sale for only $12.00! It was a nice size, tan corduroy, with a couple nice pockets for Ipods and such. She took it to Nana who personalized it with some nicely placed butterflies.<br />
<br />
So imagine our dismay when she came to me and confessed that the purse was lost. It had sat forlornly in the upstairs hallway for quite a while, but she couldn't say just when it had gone missing. To compound the problem, we'd been to Philly for a long weekend. <i>And</i> to the 30-hour famine overnight at a strange church. And about a million other possible places. And the box that it sat next to in the hall had been taken to the Clothing Closet at church.<br />
<br />
As time passed, I found out about a half dozen other items that were IN the purse and therefore, also lost. The Pandora-type bracelet she got for her birthday. My earbud headphones that stay in while I am jogging (not really). The peace-sign wallet the "tooth fairy" brought when she got her molar pulled in Feb. We were both becoming terribly sad about it. I emailed people in Philly. I called churches and libraries, pestered grandparents and aunts. She cried. I went to bed one night and prayed about it. I know some people are programmed to do this for lost items all the time, but I'm not really. I let the tempter convince me that God doesn't care about this, even though I have had the experience before of seeing in my mind's eye where I should look.<br />
<br />
But I woke up the next morning convinced that the purse was in this house. Moreover, I thought that it was in the little kids' room and that The Princess has stashed it with her toys. We gave the room a half-hearted once over, mostly looking in toy boxes, and didn't find it. I still thought it was in the house somewhere, but we had no place else to look.<br />
<br />
Yesterday, I dragged The Mayor's suitcase out of the closet to pack him for camp. This morning, I started digging through the closet to clean it out now that the big obstacle was gone. (There are about 10 clothing items hanging in this closet. We're pretty minimalist around here since our last home was a 30' travel trailer and we have one foot on an airplane most of the time.) In the bottom of the closet there is some old blue luggage and a bag of clothes that don't quite fit The Princess yet. And under that, voila! The purse!! The Girl wasn't here this morning, and I couldn't wait to show it to her when I went to pick her up. We have been ever so happy since then. Thanks for sharing in our joy! Next time, I will listen to God and look a little harder when I have a revelation. Now, if we could find the keyring The Giant lost...Nomad Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05100397481621753693noreply@blogger.com2