Have YOU signed up for the Summer Reading Program??

Our library, which just a hop, skip and a jump up the road has a summer reading program.  Even the oldsters like me can join in.

This year I am helping with a T-Shirt Bag class for the teens, not limited to girls but I imagine that most teen guys won't want to make a 'purse'. 

So...in preparation for the class, Sarah made a bag following my directions and we took over 50 photos to document the steps.  I made a bag for myself the next day and added pockets to mine and made my straps different.  I've been using mine for several days and while there are more ways I could personalize it to my criteria, it is doing very well.

The whole bag is made using  duct tape, staples and the Tee.

Supplies all laid out.

Sleeves removed.

Tee folded in half, neckline marked.

The sleeve and neckline openings will become the straps.

Everything cut away.  If you want to add an iron-on or other decorative touches, do it now.

Once the duct tape is on it is very hard to sew through and you can't iron duct tape with good results.

Laying down the duct tape bag lining.

Stapling the bottom seam.

Stapling the side seam at the bottom.  This will give the bag a flat bottom, but is something you can skip if you like.  I like my bags with flat bottoms and lots of pockets.

Inside view of the finished bag.

Outside view.

For size comparison.  Sarah is about 5'8" and she used a lg Tee.

Music

My son is an avid Star Wars fan..He also plays the guitar and some piano. Even if you don't like Star Wars I think you will probably appreciate the unique ways different musicians bring a work of music to life.

Quite a while back we discovered a YouTube video by 'Moose Butter' that is a compilation of several theme songs written by John Williams. 

Today Daniel discovered what I consider a very unusual performance of the piece which is titled "John Williams is the Man'

Enjoy

Money Savers part 2

As we continue to search for ways to cut expenses we have found that sometimes you have to spend some money, upfront, to save money.

This was true of our  change in ISP's and is also true in our mobile phones.

Common Cents Mobile is a prepaid cellular service with the low per minute price of $0.07, (7 cents) per minute AND the round down.  So if I use my cell phone for 1 minute 59 seconds I have only used 7 cents!!

To be totally honest, we did have to purchase a new phone when we had a perfectly good phone already. The old phone will be used by the kids until the minutes are all gone and then, well I don't know what then.

Davids phone came today.  It is a Kyocera with a qwerty keyboard.  Since he actually uses his mobile and texts quite often for work, this was the best way to go.  He should be able to port his number and then we can transfer any remaining tracfone minutes to one of our other tracfones. 

Seven cents per minute vs 25 cents per minutes is a big savings.  I have always been able to find promo codes to use with our tracfones, but the lowest price I can remember paying was 9 cents.  And since I cannot guarantee 9 cents per minute every time I need to purchase minutes, the change in providers was worth it.


Leave a comment and let me know how you are cutting expenses.

Money Savers we are doing

The budget is tight and our kids are growing.  Groceries are going higher and gas is, well gas is awful.

So where can we cut spending?  This month we have dropped our land line and changed ISP providers  cutting this bill in HALF.

And we did not sacrifice speed or quality. 

How can this be?

We tried Magic Jack  http://www.magicjack.com/1/step2.asp on a 30 day trial and liked it so much that we bought the equipment and paid ahead for 5 years of service.  If we move it all goes with us and we don't have to change phone numbers. 

We brought our unlimited phone service down to about $2 a month.

So far so good...

Then this past weekend after we had trouble with TWC's internet service, we bought Clear internet service. http://www.clear.com/ The modem arrived to day and we got it hooked up to 2 pc's and ran some speed tests and even on the voip phone, downloading a large file and looking up info on the 2nd pc, our speeds were wonderful.

The ISP service is about $45 a month.

Now if we could just spend less on groceries.

That is my goal for May.  Cut way back on food expenditures.  I have a real problem with grabbing fast food.  So this will take some planning.

Plan meals at home.
Use leftovers better
Plan for snacks
Plan for meals taken with us for running errands etc.

I also want to try to drink nothing but water for the month of May.  That will be hard especially when I am nauseous with a headache.

I'm going to take it 1 day at a time.

Easter Song

Good? Friday

Good Friday.

How can this day of remembering the crucifixion of our Lord be called good?

What is good about the murder of an innocent man?

And make no mistake, this man was truly innocent.  He was perfect.  He had never and  could never sin. 

And because He was perfect, He alone could satisfy the Father's wrath.

We often wonder, and books have been written wondering 'Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?'   We should be asking "Why do good things happen to bad people?

Good Friday.  Good for us sinners of whom I am one.

The populace meant it for evil.  God used it for good.

Maundy Thursday

Today is Maundy Thursday.  What does this mean?  Why do Christians remember this day?  Isn't Easter Sunday what it's all about?

I believe that the events on Maundy Thursday are extremely important to remember and ponder.  This was no ordinary Thursday.  It was Passover, the time for the Jewish people to remember their flight from Egypt.

This was no ordinary Passover.  Known to the world as the 'Last Supper', immortalized by da Vinci, brought to life in the film 'The Passion of the Christ' this was one more step in the road to the cross.

A step which brought our Savior into the merciless hands of the Roman soldiers.  He suffered torture that few survived.

We need to remember the agony, the emotional torture, the mocking...  Every little detail was

Without the Last Supper,  the crucifixion and ultimately the resurrection might not be as heart-wrenching and then joyous.

So this week do not forget our Lord's suffering and sacrifice that had to be endured before the resurrection could occur.

And remember the the resurrection proved that Christs offering was acceptable to the Father.  And ONCE and for ALL IT. IS. FINISHED!

What God is teaching me

Why do I post publicly about my spiritual life?  Accountability and prayer.  Even if only the ten people that I send my post to read this post, I can be pretty sure that they will pray for me, maybe even ask me how I am doing.

This past Sunday was a very honest day for me.  It was Palm Sunday, and a few of the kids in church joined the choir for the anthem.  We had a full choir loft.  My two, the pastors youngest, and 3 younger kiddos.

We were dressed in our robes, the littlest 3 wore angel robes minus wings and halos.  We entered the sanctuary from the main entrance of the church instead of coming in behind the pulpit.

The kids  and adults(?) carried palm branches.  It was wonderful to have the children participating and they did very well.

After the anthem the choir filed out and to their seats.  The service proceeded as normal. Opening prayer, announcements, the singing of hymns etc.

Something 'new' that has been added to the service in the past weeks has been an opportunity to pray as individuals.  The pastor opens this time up and closes this time when he feels the time is right.  We usually have several people pray out loud each Sunday and I have been truly blessed by this addition to the service.

This Sunday someone new was sitting in the pew in front of me.  I hadn't spoken to him, and unfortunately didn't have the opportunity after the service.  I hope and pray that he returns.

Three or so people had prayed when this gentleman broke into prayer and tears,  confessing a wrong he had done someone.  He didn't go into a lot of detail, but he didn't need to, the Father already knew.

This man was honest before God and the entire congregation.  He didn't try to hide his sin and be something he was not.  He respond to Gods work in his heart and came to the Saviour just as he was. 

I hope he returns, I want to speak to him and tell him that his prayer and honesty sparked a change in me.  I hope that others will be encouraged and freed from the need to appear perfect.  We need to be open, God already knows everything so we're not hiding from Him.  The scripture tells that we are not to be afraid of people, but fear Him who can harm both body and soul. As he prayed my heart was broken over the sin in my life.  After he finished I started to pray and soon was sobbing over my sin. 

You must understand that I generally do not pray out loud in a mixed congregation.  But this time I had no choice.  I was drawn irresistibly and my words were straight from my heart to His ears.  It did NOT matter that there were many others hearing my voice, and my tears.  This was between me and my Saviour and nothing could stop it.

Have I been challenged in the 48 hours since?  Very much so, but praise goes to my Saviour, I have recognized where I was headed and allowed Him to lead me instead of doing it my way.

This is real.  My prayer was not planned, rehearsed, phony.  I was in the presence of God and I came to Him humbly and in tears.

The words to "I Can Only Imagine"  ask

 "Will I dance for you Jesus or in awe of you be still? 

Will I stand in Your presence, to my knees will I fall,

will I sing Hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all?  I can only imagine"

I don't know how I will respond in heaven.  I do know how I responded to my Saviour as He pointed out my sin.

How will you respond?

Don't try to hide your imperfections.  Instead choose to be open about your struggles. 

When you read this, leave a comment and let me know how I can pray for you.  We will stregthen each other.

Things I've Learned

1.  I cannot go get my hair done without getting a terrible migraine from the associated fumes that have been accumulating all day.

2.  My hair does best fairly short.

3.  My hairdresser does a fantastic job with my fine, thin, curls.  Thanks Shannon, you're a true blessing to me.

4.  I have 1 product that works really in my hair. Sunsilk hydra tlc, this is a leave in conditioner that defines the curl without giving me crunchy hair.

5.  I have 1 shampoo that works for me.  JR Ligett's Old-Fashioned Bar Shampoo, Tea Tree & Hemp.

6.  I really like the makeup that Aldi carries.

7.  I need to include more variety in our dinner menu.

8.  My sweet husband can eat slaw, then kind my daughter makes, every day.

9.  My kids like fresh spinach, in salad, on sandwiches.  So does the dog.  Like spinach, and broccoli, but not carrots.

10.  I'm good at organizing, but often don't finish well.

11.  I am enjoying non-fiction books much more lately. 

12.  I want people to read my mind, and see what I see that needs to be done.

13.  I can get pretty ugly when I don't get things my way.

14.  I need to structure our day.

15.  When the kids know ahead of time what I expect of them in their book lessons each day, they do it.  And they do well.  And they fight less.  And they work together.

16.  It is true that the mom sets the tone for the day.  At least when she is home.  Like I am.  All day.

Even when I think I am failing God shows me that he is at work in my life.  In all our lives.

I can not type well with a migraine.

Photos from WSSA Competition



Sarah G @ judges table for a singles event



Sarah G & Sarah S doubles event, 2nd place in 15+ division

Daniel with relay team

Sarah & Sarah switching out in the relay, this team came in 2nd in the 15+ division



Coach Rhonda (black Shirt), Sarah S, Sarah G, Chelsey, Kyle, Emily, Kim, Christian, Kimberly, Joesy, Savannah, Abby, Daniel




Christian & Kyle, doubles event





Abby, singles event









 

WSSA Piedmont Triad Sport Stacking Competition Results

These are the times for the CCHSA Stackers.
CCHSA = Cabarrus County Homeschool Association

INDIVIDUAL EVENTS:


10 yr. old division:

Christian Valle, 4th place, 3-6-3 event

11 yr. old division:

Emily Barber, 3rd place 3-3-3, 4th place 3-6-3, 2nd place Cycle

12 yr. old division:

Sarah Gibson, 5th place in both 3-3-3 and 3-6-3, and 4th place Cycle

13-14 yr. old division:

Daniel Gibson, 5th place 3-3-3

Kyle King, 2nd place 3-3-3, 3rd place 3-6-3

15-open division:

Sarah Snipes, 2nd place 3-3-3, 3rd place 3-6-3, 4th place Cycle

Chelsey Barber, 3rd place 3-3-3, 5th place 3-6-3, 2nd place Cycle

"Coach" Rhonda, 5th place 3-3-3, 1st place 3-6-3, 3rd place Cycle

DOUBLES:   2 people stack as one person

14u:

Kyle and Christian, 2nd place

15-open:

Kim Dean & Coach Rhonda, 3rd place

Sarah Gibson & Sarah Snipes, 2nd place

Chelsey & Emily Barber, 1st place

TEAM RELAYS:

***Savannah Lemmond participated with another team that was at the tournament and helped them get a 2nd place finish in the 8u division!!!

15-open:

CCHSA Team 1: Chelsey, Kyle, Emily and Christian: 1st Place

CCHSA Team 2: Sarah S., Daniel, Sarah G. and Josey: 2nd Place

CCHSA Team 3: Kim, Abby, Kimberly and Rhonda: 3rd Place

Going Bald...

...for a cause.

Davids office was going bald today to raise $$$ for cancer research.  So, David joined in the 'fun'.  He had been considering this for a while and had told me earlier today that he HAD to get his hair cut this weekend.  Since we already cut it using a 3/8" guard, it wasn't too difficult to shave it all off.  He likes it.  I'm okay with it, but Daniel was really shocked! 

Looks like he will be shaving it from now on.   At least he hasn't been doing a comb-over, or spray on hair!

It Is Finished, my Coat that is...

The coat is finished.  It is a very simple wrap style coat with a stand-up collar. 

I learned a lot while sewing this coat.

Things such as:

• patterns are not always written so the everyday seamstress can understand them,  (AND I had help from Mom who taught me to sew and is a very talented seamstress.  She LOVES to do wedding dresses.  She made hers not quite 50 years ago and she made mine 21+ years ago.)  { Mom agreed that some of the instructions and diagrams were not very clear}  And remember, SHE. Is. A. PRO!!

• Patterns often tell you to do things (in my humble opinion) in a wonky order.

• Don't try to hem the sleeve linings whilst sitting in a big comfy chair AND watching TV.  I got my seams all twisted around. 

• Dont try to trim the excess lining without marking, marking, marking....

• It is a GOOD idea to try a pattern like this in a less expensive fabric for your (my?) first go.

• Belt loop placement should be higher than you think, AND on the right edge of the piece of fabric, It took me THREE tries to get them right.

So,for your viewing pleasure I present "THE COAT"

PS  I also made the scarf using Caron Simply Soft paints, in color Harlequin 0007

Where has all the time gone??

Christmas has come and gone...
The thank you notes have been written (but not mailed yet),

Christmas $$ has been spent

• I bought fabric for a dress coat
• D bought a put it together yourself pc kit, and by put it together, it really is put it together, vs hook up all the wires and turn the power on
• S bought her own DS and a game

The coat is finished, almost, I need to reposition the belt loops and give it the final pressing

Everything for the pc arrived today EXCEPT the external box, kinda critical 'cause where do you put all the components if not inside the box?

DS and game arrived and have been played and played and pla....you get the picture


So what is next???

Right now get a sick child and hubby feeling better without getting sick myself.

Get back on track with 'book learnin'.

etc...