Thanksgiving, Tests, and...Optimists

Thanksgiving was great. We watched the parade, rested, went to someone else's house for dinner, came home and napped. I was thankful for the Thanksgiving. The food was great-- no sloppy joes-- and I do believe it was the best gravy I have ever made. Hubby liked the limas, mashed potatoes and gravy, turkey, stuffing, AND blackberry pie. He was pleased. ------ I have been studying for the GRE lately. That would be one reason for not blogging so much lately. It is so kicking my butt, I have to say. Hubby is trying to help me through the Math part, but whew! I haven't had a REAL math class since I was a sophomore in high school; and I question that, as it was taught by a basketball coach and we spent a lot of the time watching clips and plays. I am going to take a few hours tutorial on an online program called ALEKS. It will be a double bonus since I was thinking about using it for the boys when they are older. I have heard good things about it. This way I will have first hand knowledge of whether I like it or not. I may also ask my friend who is good at math to come over one afternoon and give me a tutorial. Hubby has banged his head against the wall enough times. ------- So the kids were asking the other day what does it mean to have a bad economy. I told them it means that people can't pay the businesses, so the businesses can't pay the employees. Then people lose their jobs and can't afford to buy the things they need. A bad economy is bad for everyone. #2 responded, "A bad economy is good for families. They have more time to spend together." What an optimist!

I Made It!

The last couple of weeks, I kept telling myself, "You just have to get to Thanksgiving." So this morning I breathe a little sigh of relief and relax knowing that I made it. Thanksgiving is an odd holiday for us. I have heard several people say what a relaxing holiday it is for them. There are so little expectations. Basically you visit and eat. Some people go to the movies. Some look through the ads for the next day's sales. But there isn't much you have to do. It is the same for us, but it has a bit of history to it. When we married, we decided that Easter would be with my husband's family, and Thanksgiving would be with mine. Seldom have we had to abide by that decision, since we haven't lived nearby family very often. My family doesn't do much for Easter, Hubby's celebrates both holidays equally well; so it wasn't a difficult dilemma. That, of course, is all my opinion. From my husband's perspective it was a huge sacrifice. Here is why: When we were first dating, my family asked if I wanted to invite Hubby to Thanksgiving dinner. I invited and he accepted. First, you need to know that it was an impromptu event as family arrived unexpectedly. So we ate sloppy joes. Yes, you read that right; we had sloppy joes for Thanksgiving dinner. My husband's family has the traditional fare: turkey, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and gravy, lima beans, and pie, especially blackberry. So he felt let down and disappointed to have given it up for sloppy joes. I am thinking that it wasn't such a terrible disappointment since he did continue to date me, and just a few short months later proposed. But I have heard about this incident for the last 20 years! As time has gone by, and we have lived in many places, Thanksgiving has meant many different types of celebrations. We have celebrated with International Students in West Texas (eating cornbread dressing for the first time), travelling to Sedona, AZ to celebrate with friends in a gorgeous setting, attending my first child's baby shower, once or twice my family travelled to us, spending the day with a friend at her family farm (eggs in the gravy were new to me here), and more often than not, just getting together locally with friends. In this town, we have always been blessed to share Thanksgiving at someone else's house, so we enjoy lying around all morning watching the Macy's parade, and then going to eat at someone else's house. I have always tried to make sure there are limas and blackberry pie wherever we have attended so that Hubby isn't too distressed. This year my family is meeting at my parents' house to eat together. They're having spaghetti. ------------ I told this story to my mother recently, and she did not remember it at all. When I left WV a couple of weeks ago, she sent a present to my husband...a can of Manwich.

School's Out, But For Whom?

I managed to survive yesterday. Everyone got where they belonged, and laundry was done, the chicken coop cleaned, and people fed. The septic system is fixed (I hope), and the rewiring is still going on. Hubby and I were able to sneak in a little date at Starbucks yesterday as well. It is a tradition that came slowly to us; why we didn't think of it sooner, I don't know. Tuesday evening is "Guys Night Out" around here. Hubby takes the boys out to eat, and often to do something else, like the library or window shopping, sometimes a movie. But they also have art class from 4:30-5:30 Tuesdays. So normally I drop them off and start my "business," and then he picks them up afterward. Several weeks ago, though, we decided to meet at Starbucks near the university and get in a little visit. Now it has become an important link in our week. Yesterday was the last one for a while, since next week is their art show and then no more classes until January, but at least we will know to meet all semester next time. ------------ The boys were able to finish their school work yesterday. I also filled out their attendance sheets for this semester, and they have completed 102 days of school. That means they are expected to complete 78 days more. We should easily be able to complete that by the end of April. While I was shelving some of the books, I came across one we didn't get to. It is an Usborne Internet Links book about WW1. We finished WW1 this month, and are to begin WW2 in January, so I said, "I want you boys to read this book over break, and look at some of the links." You would have thought I asked them to run naked through a field of mad bulls! "On winter break?! But that's school work." I replied, "It's about war, and it's the computer. You like this stuff. " "But it's school work!" "Think of it as extra-credit." "Extra-credit schoolwork!" Gee whiz. ----------- I came across a grant for people studying for a Doctorate in Education. It is for $12,000! I have to write a 10 page paper, and several other shorter papers, to submit by January 16th. I guess winter break will involve a lot of schoolwork for me.

Eggs and Bon-Bons

I went out to feed the chickens last night and found 2 eggs. Finally!! I actually have had to buy eggs a couple of times because they aren't laying anymore. Well, it appears the new ones are starting to lay. I had thought it would be about Thanksgiving when they would start, so I guess I did pretty well. The problem was that one had a soft shell and couldn't be used, and the other had been broken open. So now I will have to watch them more carefully and make sure they lay and get off quick. Can't wait to have real eggs again. ------- So here is the day of a stay-at-home-mom. This morning we will finish school for the year. Then I pick up the "extra" kids at their school at noon. I take all 5 swimming this afternoon from 1:00-2:30. Then I drop 2 of them off at the dentist's office, and run errands with the other 3 for an hour or so. Then return to the dentist's office to exchange one kid for another and take 3 of them to art class. It is supposed to be my night off, and a good friend invited me to dinner and a knitting club, but I need time alone to take the practice GRE, so I have had to decline the offer. All the while I will have men here repairing the septic system and working on rewiring the house. Where are those bon-bons?

Theatre and House Repairs

Thursday was dress rehearsal, and I was part of the make-up crew. I was in charge of making people look old. These kids are 14-17 years old, and we were to make them look middle aged or more. It was sort of fun. The rehearsal went well, and the play was Friday night and Saturday afternoon. The in-laws came down to see #1 in his first big role. Actually, he has had bigger roles, but not in such a big production. He did very well. It made for a long week, and we are certainly glad it is finished, but it also was definitely a good experience for him.

This is "Matthew Cuthbert" and "Jerry" back stage in the gym waiting to go on.

"Jerry" and "Mrs. Allen" the Reverend's wife. She goes to church with us.

Make-up was one of his greatest trials. He was sure his brother would make fun of him, and that others would laugh. It did not help to tell him that it is part of the job, just like other jobs have uniforms. He did not want to go celebrate with everyone else in public.

The kids get a t-shirt with the play logo on it. They sign each other's shirts as a memento.

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Of course, no visit can be complete without something going wrong. While the in-laws were here the septic alarm went off yet again. It has been doing that a lot in the last couple of months, so I had a guy come out to look at it. He couldn't come until this morning; boy was I nervous and careful with water usage the last few days! Anyway, it is the pump computer board messing up and it has to be replaced. Then last night as I was knitting, #2 pulled a bug off my shirt. He said it looks like a termite. So I guess we need to have that checked out too. That is part of remodeling we didn't figure on. Ugh.

An Education Rant

I enjoyed the conference last night. In fact, it may have been the best one yet. The main speaker was discussing a book, The World Is Flat, and its implications for us as a society and as teachers. It was very sobering and enlightening. The questions put forth by teachers to the keynote and to the international students on the panel were very poignant. It would seem that finally people are waking up to the fact that you can't ask the teachers to parent; parents actually need to step up and do their part. I was stunned by what I heard from the internationals. They are education majors and so they have to go into the classrooms here. They talked about the disrespect of the students...kids eat during class, talk on phones, or just get up and leave when they want! They said, "This doesn't happen in our countries." Well, I didn't know it happens in mine, and it certainly doesn't happen in my classroom. I guess that is one reason I homeschool that I didn't know about. I talked afterward with the keynote speaker; he is a friend of mine from India. I asked him some questions that were politically incorrect, but that I am curious about. It seems to me that we make a lot of excuses for our children, and make the excuses "legit" by tying medical causes or prescriptions to them. He agreed, and said that doesn't happen in India. He said it is another extreme; they don't help a lot of people who perhaps could do better if they could have a little help or training. I think that if our country wants to continue to compete in this new flatter world, we have to give up on the notion that every one deserves equal treatment. I am not in any way saying that people should discriminate based on age, sex, race, or nationality. However, there are some people who are born incapable of competing with the general population. I do believe these children need to be given some training, but they should not be taking away from the education of those who can help promote our country. Now there is no way I will ever get into UNC with that statement in cyberspace to mar my integrity! _______ I had an appointment at WVU last week to speak with some professors about graduate work. They were very encouraging and excited about my interest. Then I had a phone call with UNC on Tuesday; they were not. It was almost as if my background from WV, and my interest in homeschooling were below them. The more I looked into their school, though, the less I felt that I would enjoy my time there. I certainly don't fit into the mold. I am trying to contact the local university, but am not having much luck. I did discover that the person I was to contact, whom I have not had much luck with, is in CA with her son who just had brain surgery. That brings me to another topic. I should never make judgments about anything until I have all of the information. I recently found out that a situation that perturbed me a few months ago was really out of the person's control, because her mother came home one day and abandoned the family. Rash thoughts are better left unheard. Thankfully, I kept my mouth shut, except to my husband. _________ One fish down; one to go. It died last week before we left. The one that remains is the one I nearly lost down the drain. Still feeding flour. Amazing fish!

I'm Back

Overwhelmed. Yep. That's how I feel. And Exhausted. That should be on the list, too. I have been in WV for about a week taking care of my husband's grandmother. She is 94 years old, and her body is still very strong and active. Her mind is failing though. I answered the same questions for four days. It was a bit humorous though; her reaction to my answers was always genuine...and identical. She was appalled that I don't drink coffee, every time we ate. She was amazed at the weather forecast, that she read every five minutes. She was angered at her daughters for taking away the car, every time we went somewhere. She and I went to visit the other grandmother who lives in another town. We went out to eat several times. I took her to the grocery. It was a pleasant time. I got a lot of knitting done, and worked on a wedding movie for Hubby's cousin. But it was also stressful to have to be the one to tell her daughters that Grandma's time of freedom is over. She needs someone to watch over her and make sure she eats and doesn't fall. She fell once under my "watchful eye" and I was sure we were headed to the hospital. But she didn't break a thing! When I arrived on Thursday, she had a big knot and bruise on her forehead from another fall she had taken. I was able to visit my in-laws a bit while I was there, and I spent one night with my parents before I headed back. On the drive back, I took a fall myself in a convenience store. I tripped over some bottled water, and landed very hard on a tile floor. Yesterday my whole left side was stiff and sore. My elbow is still tender, but I think I am recovering. When we got back into town, we had an hour to prepare for a County Council 4-H meeting. So we grabbed a little pizza, fed the animals, packed up the computer and headed out. Yesterday was a catch up day in school, plus a 4-H meeting helping out at Give 2 the Troops, art class for the boys, a phone conference with UNC, and play practice for #1 that lasted until 9:30 p.m. I also had the "extra kids" yesterday, as well as today and tomorrow. Tonight is my annual global education conference that I attend at the local university. The play is Friday and Saturday. I have kids MTW next week and then comes Thanksgiving. The house is being rewired. Other 4-H events are forthcoming. I am studying for the GRE. And I am Overwhelmed and Exhausted. It should definitely slow down after Thanksgiving, so I am hanging on until then.

Youtube update

I was told by a friend that the YouTube video is up and running now. The kids and I just watched, and it was successful. Go to www.YouTube.com and search for 4-H for the Hungry.

Proverbs and Pranks

This time change thing is for the birds! Literally. I hear the roosters crowing in the morning now. I keep waking at 5:00 a.m. ever since the daylight savings went into effect. I guess it is good though. My prayer life is flourishing with that extra hour. I have been asking God for wisdom about what to do when I grow up, as my mother-in-law put it the other day. So today I decided to look to Proverbs, the wisdom book, and see what God might say. The first thing I read was Proverbs 16:1 "We can gather our thoughts, but the Lord gives the right answer." I kept reading...verse 9 "We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps." Ok. I have been gathering my thoughts and making my plans, but what the Lord is answering or where he is sending is beyond me. I have asked for open ears and open eyes too, but I feel like I am wrapped in a sheet and can't break my way out. ------------ #1 is writing a book. He started it a day or so ago. Yesterday when we picked up the extra kids from school, he read it aloud to them. It was really good, for a sixth grader. He had movement, action, description, plot...everything he needed. He even used words like "rumble" and "shrill." One description said, "His belly swelled with fear." A lot of what he does is beyond me. He sits in his own little world, writing, drawing, and thinking. I seldom know what he is doing. It was a wonderful glimpse into his world to hear him share his story. ------------ Then there is #2. Sigh. Last night was his night to clean the kitchen after dinner. I used to have them do it alone, but the food flecked dishes draining to collect water got to me. So now I help wash and the boy on duty has to put things away and generally clean up. However, last night I needed to take #1 to play practice, so I did as much as I could and then left #2 with instructions. "Finish drying the dishes, wash off the countertops, and then finish your math lesson." When we got back about 9:00 p.m., the kitchen looked great. The math book was left on the table for me to grade. All looked well. I saw the dog needed water, and took the bowl over to fill at the kitchen sink. I was sprayed and soaked!! #2 had wrapped a rubber band around the handle on the sprayer, so that when the water was turned on it automatically sprayed the unsuspecting person. He is a busy boy, that one. ------------ #2 has a birthday next month, and it is a big one. He hits double digits! So I have been asking him what he would like to do to celebrate. He wants to go to Charlotte to the science museum and ride a bike across the top of the museum. They have a bike set up on a tightrope that you can ride several stories up across the expanse of the museum. When we were there a few years ago he was too short to ride it. Hubby was asking about the safety of it, and I commented that there is a net under it. "Who is Annette? And is she a good catcher?" he asked us. You see what I have to deal with?

Sorry about the YouTube. I think maybe the music voice over was messing with copyright laws, and it was taken off. Anyway, I may try later to divide the movie in half and put it here on the blog. My husband turned with admiration last night and said, "You're becoming quite computer literate." Not something I ever expected to be said of me! ---- Monday is #1's day to do laundry, the brights. Weds is #2's day to do the darks. Last week #2 told me, "I think #1 should wash the darks. All of his underwear are dark, and my hands think it is disgusting to wash someone's dirty underwear." You can imagine all of the smart remarks that came from me after that! I looked at my hands and asked them if they knew it was disgusting to clean up vomit, change dirty diapers, wash muddy floors, clean toilets... It isn't much fun to be my kid.

It is very late, or very early I suppose. I have completed the video, and I am exhausted. I tried to put it on this site, but it is too large for Blogger to handle. So I actually made an account at youtube and put it on there. I can't link it yet, as it is processing. By the time any of you read this, you should be able to go to YouTube and search for 4-H for the Hungry. We will be showing this next week at the County Council meeting. Have a nice day.

I spent a few hours with my friend again last night trying to figure out this movie thing. I was struck by how different from me he is. We were having trouble with a title not fading correctly, and he spent an hour on it! I am not exaggerating; he actually fooled with it for an hour. I was ready to try something different after 5 minutes. Couldn't we just not fade the title? Could we put a different title on the others? Could we just move on? I think at one point he wanted to yell at me, but he kept his calm. My way of handling it would have been to try titles on other frames and then maybe I would figure out what was wrong and could go back to it.

As I thought about this later, I wondered what Edison was like. Did he keep going on one thing forever, or did he try other ways and go back to it? I am pretty sure we would not have electric lights if he did it my way. I would get sick of it and try to discover a new way to cook or something, and leave the light bulb to someone else.

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Hubby comes back today. I think the dog was taking advantage of his absence. She slept in our room last night. I walked in to go to bed, and I could tell there was something in the floor. I turned on the light and sent her out. About 3-4 minutes later the door was pushed open and in she came. I was so exhausted, I didn't say anything and she slept next to the bed all night. She snores.

It is hard to believe that Luke was ever this little. He has become quite a little chub lately. He really likes to jump on Pete, and the howls from Pete are hilarious. I keep encouraging Pete to smack Luke upside the head, but he is a better man than I and just goes somewhere else. Luke likes to look inside the back door and watch what is going on in the house. He and Kelly are good friends now, when the picture was taken it was still questionable.

Just blurbs today... #1 just finished his soccer game and second season. Today was the tournament day, and they were done after the first game. They didn't play well this year, but they did improve, especially#1. I am definitely NOT a soccer mom, but I am glad he enjoys playing with a team. I am also glad they didn't go on in the tournament...It started pouring rain as soon as we walked off the field! -------- The movie lessons last night are to be continued. The teacher was having trouble too, so it isn't just the student. That makes me feel better. ------- I did get a little response from the university, but I MAY have found another option. I am waiting back for an email from UNC. They have a program that sounds exactly like what I am looking for. YeeHaw! (I hope.) -------- The retreat that Hubby is on is his second one since we have been here. The first was when we had lived here a week! He left me and the kids with a pile of boxes and took off for the mountains. Actually, we all thought it would be a good way for him to meet some of the guys and get a little handle on the church. It is supposed to turn cold this weekend, so I hope he packed well. -------- Co-op is over for the Fall session. I taught two classes on Evaluating Viewpoints and had a great time. I really like teaching kids who want to learn. I also co-taught it and that made a world of difference! I only had to prepare for half of the sessions. The boys had a good time in their classes as well. The Spring co-op will be a new challenge for me. I am helping to run the registration. -------- I am ignoring a messy house.

I am getting frustrated with the university. I would think that if someone contacted you about coming to your school, you would want to meet with them. But so far no one seems interested. I am struggling with whether this is a sign to look in another direction, or if it is a test to see if I am committed. ------------- The kids have struggled themselves this week. School has been tougher, and we have even had to do some in the evenings. The sentences are improving, however, so I am hopeful that we won't have to continue this much longer. Yesterday I was wishing that little boys didn't have to go to school. #2 had a friend over to play, and they were such happy little imps. They were barefoot, running through the field pretending to be Olympians. Then they played in a fire for over 2 hours. When they were done with that, they ran around in the dark playing hide and seek. They just had a great time. A few days ago, #2 moved his body into the kitchen while I was washing dishes. He did some kind of a dance, and then shimmied back into the diningroom, sat down, and did his school work. That is so not going to happen in a classroom. Which brings me back to what I should do about graduate school. I have a pretty clear vision about what I want to accomplish, and some new ideas are springing into my mind, but how do I have the most impact? Still working on that one. ----------- The movie thing is still beyond me, so tonight I am visiting my friend to give me some help. Hope he is a good teacher. The last time we did something together, I was trying to fly a virtual rocket, and he took it away from me! His wife said he doesn't let her try video games either. Maybe movie documentaries will be different.

Hubby is going on a retreat this weekend with the men from church. Then next week I leave with the kids to go visit my parents and Hubby's grandmother. So we have decided to go out for breakfast for a date. One of the things that came out of my personal retreat last month was that I need to date my husband more often. I think going out in the day time is safer for us. The boys are still kind of young to leave alone at night; I think they would get scared. Plus, I don't think they are ready for us to be gone for long, so breakfast or lunch is a good time span. We actually went to lunch last week while they were in a day camp, so I guess this isn't a "necessary" date to fill my retreat requirements, but we like each other and want a little time together. -------- Fish are still alive. Sigh.

So it took 138 years for a black man to be President from the time he could have voted. I guess that means another 50 years before women get in office. I hope it goes well. I talked about some of this this morning with #1 and we realized that Tiny Grandma was married and had 2 kids before she was allowed to vote. She wasn't 21. ----------- My children are nuts. I mean down right send-them-to-the-insane-asylum nuts. Yesterday, #2 pulled the rubber cement off of some mail, and threw it against the kitchen wall. While I was standing there. When I stuttered, "What are you doing?!" He looked at me and then realization came across his face. The look said it all, "I didn't just do that in front of her, did I?" A few minutes later, #1 was walking through the dining room and spit on the floor. He had stuck something bad in his mouth, and instinct took over I suppose. He didn't just sort of spit either; it was an honest to goodness full spit! Now #1 is pouting that he has to do work over from yesterday because it wasn't written in proper sentences. He has a slight cold, but he is milking it for all it is worth. He sniffles, tries to cough, tells me how cold he is...He even got out the thermometer and took his temperature. 98.7! Too bad it didn't work in his favor. It will be a long day. ------------ I started trying to make a movie last night on my "night off." It wasn't very relaxing. It is a little movie for our 4-H club. I was hoping to learn the system, so I can teach it to the kids and they can make their own movies. Yuck.

This day has long been anticipated around the world. I can only imagine what John and Barack are feeling this day...fatigue, nausea, anxiety, fear, etc. It will be good to have it done. Whatever the outcome of this election though, there is sure to be change.

So since it is Election Day here in the Good Ole USA, I thought I would share some Constitutional History with you.

The Declaration of Independence started it all when it declared that "all men are created equal." We have been trying to decipher that statement for the last 232 years. What did TJ mean when he penned those words? Over time we have decided that he meant everyone who appears to be related to the human race, even the unborn have some rights.

The Constitution went on to define the rights of citizens here to be those of a Republic. We have the right to vote and decide what we want to happen in our country. But as soon as that was enumerated as a specific right, we had a fight on our hands.

You see some people who belonged to the human race, and were citizens of our country, were not being afforded the rights as such. Many people took up the cause of freedom for peole of all colors, and the 1820s and 1830s saw a rise in men and women speaking up for the rights of slaves.

The Civil War brought about changes in our country, and eventually in our Constitution. In 1870 black men were given the right to vote. They couldn't really practice the right, since people around them were sneaky and mean, but they did have the right.

Women found it offensive that they had not been included in this granting of voting privileges, and the true fight for a woman's right to vote began in full force. Small ground would be taken in some western states where they needed women, but little progress was really made. It took until 1920 to get the right to vote for women. That means that my grandmothers were born without the right to be fully participating citizens in their own country.

It took 144 years for women to be considered remotely "created equal." The fight would continue, for both women and minorities, until the Civil Rights Act of 1964. That would be 188 years after the Declaration of Independence declared us all "EQUAL."

True, life-altering change comes slowly.

This land was made for you and me.

It is starting to look like Fall around here. A few of the trees are turning colors and losing their leaves. The sky is cloudy, and breezes keep stirring things up. Then of course there are the Christmas Carols and Wish Lists. I know that doesn't make much sense, but as soon as Halloween is over, the kids start thinking about the next holiday! A friend gave us a piano book of Christmas carols, so they have been trying those out. #1 is playing "Noel" right now. #2 wrote a wish list the other day along with a note about what he likes to do for fun, and what a good kid he is. He isn't very subtle. The animals have had me laughing lately. Yesterday I was trying to pour out the water from the fish jar, and one of the little boogers slipped out. I tried to pick it up (ugh) and get it back in the jar, but every time I got hold of it, it would flip out of control and end up in the sink again. I was laughing so hard I could hardly hold the jar. Yes, they are both still alive! Then this morning the dog pushed the bedroom door open, stomped inside, and threw herself down on Hubby's rug. It sounded like she was throwing a temper tantrum. Later I found out she was! She had been outside barking at cars in the road, and Hubby brought her inside. Then he wouldn't let her stay in the living room with the boys. So I guess she thought she would show him! This afternoon I gave her a bath. ( My kids learned a new phrase today, "You stink to High Heaven.") She had to be pulled into the bathroom, and then she refused to look at me. She's a character. Then there was feeding the scraps to the animals. I took the bucket of scraps out to the field and dumped them over the fence. Pete, the cat, wanted to get some of it, so he headed through the fence. Milky Way, one of the goats, didn't want to share so she butted him in the head while he was trying to get through the fence. He had his head through and all 4 legs splayed out on the other side. It looked like some old cartoon! Poor guy didn't want to admit that he had been had, so he sauntered over to the barn and licked his pride.

The sugar in the kids' systems has evidently run its course. They are still sacked out in bed. I know it may look like I am writing before 7 a.m., but it is really in our bodies' nearly 8:00. We let them have as much candy as they want the first day after Halloween. #2 had it for every meal, except a little spaghetti and salad that we had at a friend's house last night. Even there, we roasted marshmallows! He will be dragging today.

Today will be a sad day in our house. We will have a family meeting this afternoon to discuss some issues. Chores are not getting done, and school work has not been acceptable. I know they are going to feel like we are being too hard on them, and rebellion will likely occur, but it has to be taken care of. When I think about trying to go back to school, and deal with life as it is, I just about crawl under the bed! So some "pruning" is about to take place in our little family garden.

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The fish are still alive. Maybe I better buy some fish food; then they'll die.

These two pictures are from our church secretary. I forgot to take the camera. Hubby was the troll from Three Billy Goats Gruff at trunk-or-treat. Some people didn't know this was a goat!

Well, now it has been four years. My week of reminiscing is over; you can relax. I will just end by saying, "I am happy to be here."

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The Halloween party went well last night. The kids were charging to get out of the house to start the Great Candy Race. We had kids dressed as an angel, a princess or good witch (not sure), several Star Wars characters, a Greaser, a 60s person, a ninja, and some pirates. Our own were a wizard and a WW1 flying ace. Hubby and I went as Hee Haw singers.

The candy trading afterward was so loud the adults had to go to another room so we could talk. We had lots of food to munch on through the night too. Now the kids will spend the next couple of days on a sugar rush until we put a moratorium on candy again.

This mother brought candy to pay off the kids for what she wanted to buy from them! I just ask for what I want--coconut and peanutbutter!

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I taught a lesson on voting and the Constitution yesterday. It was so very interesting to me, that I started to wonder again about law school. I really have to think carefully about what I really want to do.

I just heard that they are expecting this election day to pass the record voter turn-out of 68% in 1908. I can't believe that that many people think it isn't important to vote! I went yesterday and actually got to vote twice! They had given me the wrong ballot. If I hadn't done the research of who was to be on my ballot, then I wouldn't have known it was the wrong one. If I had turned it in, my vote wouldn't have counted! I wonder how many mistakes like that will be made. A dishonest election worker could really change an election!