Busdriving Stories to Make You Laugh

My grandpa just wrote a hilarious post on busdriving antics that happen to busdrivers day after day. Many of the stories I hadn't heard yet, so I greatly enjoyed them! Head on over to to do a little "LOL"-ing on Bull Frogger Blogger!

Yours truly,

15 Things About Me... #1

I have been tagged for sharing fifty things about me. While I could probably spout off that many in an hour or so, eventually things would get pretty boring. So, I've decided to do my fifty in chunks. Feel free to join me!

1. While I hate writing reports, stories, reviews or anything of the sort, they haven't bugged me near as much since I started blogging.

2. I went to a Christian school from kindergarten through fourth grade. Ever since, I've been home schooled.

3. I love pink! My coat is pink, my nails are currently painted pink, even my bedroom is painted the color.

4. My favorite books to read are mysteries.

5. I have read nearly every single book in the Boxcar Children series, due to the fact that it was my first chapter book series I started reading in second grade (Mrs. Dejong let me borrow the books from the third and fourth grade room, such a treat).

6. I have sang in Hebrew at a few talent shows before.

7. I have two grandmas, one grandpa (not counting the greats :), four aunts, two uncles and twelve cousins.

8. I like to keep my shoes in tip-top shape. I have one pair of grungy tennis shoes, but the rest have been baby-wiped an innumerable amount of times.

9. The ladies in the house, due to my dad's request, have been skirts/dresses only since I was twelve.

10. We have a little homemade burgundy sign held up by cream ribbon on our office door that says "Happiness is Homemade".

11. I have four pen-pals.

12. I love Butterfinger Mcflurrys at McDonalds. Last Sunday, Mom and I went there to have some fifty cent ice-cream cones, and to find some free papers, so you could imagine my delight when Mom came to our table bearing two Butterfinger Mcflurrys. Apparently the girl didn't really know what she was doing, and for some reason she couldn't serve us the cones, so she gave us the Mcflurrys instead at the same price. Score!!!

13. I'm not very fond of wearing purple. While I do have a few shirts and skirts in the color, I don't wear them much because I don't think that they're one of "my colors". I look the best in fall colors.

14. One time while cleaning up our table after dinner at a retreat, I noticed someone hadn't drunken all of their milk. I was sort of embarrassed to give the people the half-full cup for them to dump down the drain, so I decided to drink it myself. Well, I took one big gulp and discovered why that person hadn't drunken it. The milk was filled - and I mean filled - with salt. Must have been one of the little kids. I have never been able to comfortably drink milk since.

15. I have been blogging since July 20, 2007.

Anne of Green Gables - A Work of Art

Anne of Green Gables was published in 1908, making Lucy Maud Montgomery almost instantly famous. She had had a few of her poems published in her local Prince Edward Island newspapers, but this was much bigger. Anne of Green Gables would go on to be translated into more than a dozen languages, and have nineteen thousand copies sold in the first five months of publication.


For over a century readers of all ages have enjoyed irresistible Anne, with her unpredictable, delightful, outgoing personality, and captivating story. I must admit, before reading the book I expected an unbelievable story filled with pink, sparkly “fluff”, but afterwards couldn't wait to read the next book in the series.

The story starts off with middle-age, almost elderly siblings, Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert wondering how on earth they are going to take care of this little eleven year old orphan they received by mistake. The book goes on through Anne’s childhood, sharing with us her trials, temptations and achievements, all in the setting of Prince Edward Island, Canada with her friends, foes and in-betweens.


Starting out, the book was a bit slow, in my opinion. But, the more I read, the more I loved. I really like Anne’s poetic way of talking, peculiar speeches and her love of all things beautiful. My favorite thing about her though, is her romantic thinking. While some may call it ridiculous, I think it’s lovely that she is so girlish, even in spite of, or maybe out of necessity, her hard and painful childhood. I also liked how Anne, and all the P.E.I. ladies really, encouraged me in my femininity, helping to show what a real lady is like, inside and out. Outwardly, she is modest, yet feminine in her dress, and inwardly she is gracious and kind, joyful in all things, yet serious in the Lord.

While many “kindred spirits” have enjoyed Anne of Green Gables, I believe any girl twelve or thirteen and older would appreciate the story the most. I know that when tried to read it when I was younger, around ten, I found Anne’s chatter and all the sentimental aspects of the book hard to understand. But, now that I’m older and have grown in my vocabulary and understanding a bit, I have found the book to be a real treasure.

In closing, I have to agree with all the critics when they said that Anne of Green Gables was beautifully written. When Montgomery published her manuscript, she truly blessed young ladies by sharing with us the little gangly, red haired Anne-with-an-E.

Enjoy Your Day!

What did the green grape say to the purple grape?


"Breathe!"

"A merry heart doeth good like medicine..." Proverbs 17:22

A Young Maiden's Daybook Entry...

Today...

February 23rd, 2009. We took a Costco shopping trip (where I noticed the Jelly Belly container got smaller and the price went up...sigh) and had lunch in the food court. I made spaghetti and salad for dinner, and now Mother Dear is organizing the pantry. The excitements of today. :)

Outside my window…

I see the night sky, and a very wet yard. It rained all last night and all today - something that is very rare here.

I am thinking…

that I'd better hurry up with this post because it is my night to get the littles ready for bed.

I am wearing…

a khaki skirt, olive green shirt, blue hoody and my blue slippers.

I am reading…

Anne of Avonlea.

I am creating…

a Dick and Jane quilt, a knitted wash cloth and an embroidered pillowcase (which I am almost done with!)

One of my favorite things…

a well-stocked pantry.

For education this week...

I'm writing a review on Anne of Green Gables (something I'll share with you all :), and doing my usual daily studies.

A keeper at home skill I am using/learning…
cooking.

A spiritual lesson I’m learning…

submission.

A godly character trait I plan to work on...
perseverance.

Scripture I am memorizing…

reviewing for one more week!

I am praying for…

a pregnant friend of the family. Get well soon, Sharon!

For the rest of the week…

my grandparents are coming over for a three day weekend on Friday so my parents can go to a marriage conference all day Saturday, and to visit. :) I can't wait!

A picture I’d like to share… Mommy and I. Look at that perm! :)

Care to participate? Do so here.

Blessings!

Vision Forum True Beauty Giveaway!

Guess what? Jasmine Baucham is giving away a set of True Beauty series of CD's from now until this Friday, February 27th! The CD's were recorded at last year's Vision Forum Father/Daughter Retreat, and I'm sure they are wonderful, not to mention encouraging.

Go here to enter in the drawing now. :)

The Red Envelope

I am subscribed to the Mini Above Rubies email newsletter, and read the first issue this morning. In one of Nancy's articles she featured a email that has apparently been circulating through everyone's inbox. Here's what it said:

"I am sure that many of you have received the following letter on your email. It is circulating around. However, I wondered if you have done anything about it! Help! I haven't done anything myself yet, but I am planning to do it for I think it is a wonderful idea. Here it is for those of you who haven't read it. I hope we can all take action. I know it takes a little effort. I've got to drive an hour and a half into the city to purchase some red envelopes, but I will be doing it!

This afternoon I was praying about a number of things, and my mind began to wander. I was deeply distressed at the symbolic actions that President Obama took as he began his presidency. Namely, that he signed executive orders releasing funds to pay for abortions, permission to fund human stem cell research, and federal funding for contraception. I have been involved in the pro-life movement for nearly 20 years, and it pained my heart to see a man and a political party committed to the shedding of innocent blood. This man, and this party lead our country, but they do not represent me or the 54% of Americans who believe that abortion is wrong and should no longer be legal.

As I was praying, I believe that God gave me an interesting idea. Out in the garage I have a box of red envelopes. Like the powerful image of the red LIFEtape, an empty red envelope will send a message to Barack Obama that there is moral outrage in this country over this issue. It will be quiet, but clear.

Here is what I would like you to do:

Get a red envelope. (You can buy them at Kinkos, or at party supply stores.) In the front, address it to:

President Barack Obama

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

Washington, D.C.

On the back, write the following message:

'This envelope represents one child who died in abortion. It is empty because that life was unable to offer anything to the world. Responsibility begins with conception.'

Put it in the mail, and send it."

I thought this was a great idea! While we don't have any red envelopes, I'm sure I can make one of my own with some red construction paper.

Anyway, for sure, a red envelope addressed to the White House will be waiting in our mailbox for the mailman on Monday morning!

She Makes A Great Case...

I just watched a You Tube video with a twelve year old girl arguing for babies lives. Let me tell you, this girl has got it down. Go here to see what she's got to say.

In Him,

Tagged!

I've been tagged for another fun Bloggy "Game"! This time it was by Miss Hannah.

1. What is your name?: Serenity

2. A four letter word: Sham (as in "pillow sham")

3. A boy's name: Sean

4. A girl's name: Selena

5. An occupation: Secretary

6. A color: Strawberry Blonde

7. Something you wear: Sandles

8. A Food: Salad

9. Something found in the bathroom: Scented lotion

10. A place: Seattle

11. A reason for being late: Sink over flowed. :)

12. Something you shout: STOP!!!

13. A movie title: Sound of Music

14. Something you drink: Sprite

15. An animal: Snake

16. A song title: "Show Your Glory" by Rebecca St. James

17. A verb: Sit

Now, it's my turn to tag five people. I tag You, You, You, You and You! To anyone who reads this and participates: I welcome you to put your post on the Mister Linky below so we all can share in the fun! Here's what to do:

Erase my answers and put yours in. Use the first letter of your name to answer ALL of the following questions. If the person before you has the same 1st letter pick a new one. You CAN NOT use anything twice, and you CAN NOT use your own name for the boy/girl question. After you are done, tag 5 people.......

Student Statements on the Bible

I just stumbled upon this page, and thought you all would enjoy it. It is a list of "cute statements said to have been written by actual students and are genuine, authentic and not retouched or corrected". They gave me a good laugh! Here are a few to get you started:

-Samson was a strongman who let himself be led astray by a Jezebel like Delilah.

-Moses died before he ever reached Canada.

-When Mary heard that she was the mother of Jesus, she sang the Magna Carta.

-The epistles were the wives of the apostles.

-St. Paul cavorted to Christianity. He preached holy acrimony, which is another name for marriage.

Pay It Forward Winners

Congratulations, Rebekah, His Talmidat and Hannah for winning the Pay It Forward prize! I won't tell you what it is yet, but I'll be sending it to you soon! Can you ladies leave a comment here with your mailing information please? I won't publish it for privacy, of course. :)

Again, congratulations! Now it's your turn to host a Pay It Forward giveaway and send three people hand made gifts. Enjoy!

Pay It Forward

I've won a prize from Pay It Forward on Rachel's blog! I can't wait to see what it is. It's a surprise.

Well, since I've won something, the rules say that it's my turn to give!

Here's the deal:

The first three people to comment on this post, telling me what they think of my blog (anything I should change?...etc.), will win a homemade gift from me. Apparently, I have to get that gift to you within 365 days, but I plan on getting it to you much sooner. :)

Then, those three people will hold a "Pay It Forward" giveaway and send another three people homemade gifts.

I can't wait to see who I'll be making things for! If you hurry, it'll be you!

A Young Maiden's Entry...

Today...
February 16th, 2009. So far for the day I've done preschool time with the little ones (this week is gardening :), finished my school, babysat for a few minutes before the littles went to nap and ate a freshly baked cookie.

Outside my window…
is a cloudy, slightly windy, chilly day.

I am thinking…
about where the camera could be. It's lost!

I am thankful for…
completed school work. Even though I really wanted to procrastinate and mess around this morning, I stuck to getting it done!

I am wearing…
a grey cotton dress and black sweater.

I am reading…
Numbers, Proverbs and I just finished Boy Meets Girl by Joshua Harris. A great book!

I am creating…
a Dick and Jane quilt, a knitted wash cloth and an embroidered pillowcase.

One of my favorite things…
new shoes. :)

For education this week...
the usual. Oh yes, and I'm not sure if you could call this "education" but I'm learning how to do some new hairstyles to do on myself. :)

A keeper at home skill I am using/learning…
cooking. I've been making a lot of new dishes lately!

A spiritual lesson I’m learning…
trusting in the Lord with everything.

A godly character trait I plan to work on...

patience.

Scripture I am memorizing…
I'm reviewing again. For a while there I wasn't keeping up on my verses, and I need to get all the old ones down before I add any more.

I am praying for…

wisdom.

For the rest of the week…
starting seeds out in our sunroom, hair experimentations, preschool unit planning...

A picture I’d like to share… MIT #2 and I a few years ago. She's so tiny!

Want to sign up too? Go here!

Growin' Up

Our "Baby MIT" is getting so big! She's been walking for a few months now, and is currently working on climbing things. Her other big job? Learning new words! She says

- "Hot hot hot!"

- "Ha!" for "Hi!"

- "Be be" when she holds a doll, or is in distress. :)

- "Yumayumayum" when she wants to be nursed or wants some food

and of course the usual "Mama", "Dada" and "Sissy" that all my siblings have said while learning to talk. :)

It's so fun to see her growing up! Just today she was toddling around the house and looked like such a little person. It's so funny to think that eleven months ago she was born in our living room. In some ways it seems just like yesterday!

Spinach & Pepper Rigatoni and Mia's Breadsticks

We had a very delicious dinner this evening! Earlier today I was looking at a recipe on the back of the Kosher Salt box, and saw that we had everything, plus the recipe said to serve it with breadsticks. "Perfect!" I thought. "I've been wanting to make those breadsticks on Aspiring Homemaker for a while now."

A little while later Mother Dear happened to see the breadstick recipe I had printed off, and mentioned that she thought we were out of brown sugar, which it called for. I was pretty disappointed, so I searched high and low to make sure she was right. At the very back of one of our pantry shelves I found a couple bags of rock hard, clumpy of brown sugar. Boy did I rejoice!

Before I give you the recipes, I'd like to mention that Active Boy had me write them both down in his recipe book he is saving for when he gets married. Because of that alone should you trust that these recipes make some pretty good food here.

Spinach and Pepper Rigatoni

1 chopped red onion

1 large red pepper, cut into 1 inch strips

1/2 cup prepared garlic vinaigrette, divided

1 Tbsp. coarse kosher salt, divided

1 lb. rigatoni pasta, uncooked

10 oz. fresh baby spinach leaves, rinsed and coarsely chopped

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

In a medium skillet, saute onion and red peppers in 1 Tbsp. vinaigrette until crisp and tender, about 6 minutes. Season with 2 tsp. kosher salt; keep warm.

Cook pasta according to package directions with remaining 1 tsp kosher salt; drain.

Thoroughly toss hot pasta with spinach, pepper/onion mixture, remaining vinaigrette and Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately with garlic breasticks. Makes 6 servings.

To get the breadstick recipe, go here.

Week 6 of APH Giveaways

Hey! Guess what? I won a prize from week five of the Winter Bundle! I am getting free graphics for my blog from A Pondering Heart Botique - which I really wanted! I am so excited.

There's a whole new bout of great things she's giving away this week! Here they are...

San Francisco Smugglers

Designer G’s

Sense & Sensibility Epattern

The Art of Candle-Making DVD

Homeschooling Through High School: There’s Joy in the Journey!

I'd love to hear if you win something!

FREE Fries - Today Only!

Today at Jack in the Box you can get free fries! Our whole family went for a snack this morning, and since Mother Dear printed off eight coupons, everyone got a fry for themselves. :)

Go here to get your free medium fry coupon. The kind with the perm.

My Entry for the Week

Today...

February 9, 2009. I did my school, helped my grandpa start up a blog, did a 3 mile Leslie Sansone work out tape and babysat for a little while.

Outside my window…

I see the city lights against the dark sky.

I am thinking…

that I love my dad's thoughtfulness. When he came home for his lunch break at dinner time, he brought a whole stack of horse magazines for Active Boy from the library. Active Boy is so excited!

I am thankful for…

my mom for teaching me how to easily keep the little ones occupied. This evening I babysat for about an hour before their bed time so she could go to a parents meeting, and everything went smoothly because I knew how to set up centers, keep the children separated as to prevent arguing over toys and put on a fun song/Bible story tape to keep them somewhat quiet and content while they listened.

I am wearing…

a heather grey three quarter-length shirt with a purple skirt.

I am reading…

Numbers, Psalms and Little Women.

I am creating…

a Dick and Jane quilt.

One of my favorite things…

a clean house!

For education this week...

my usual school work.

A keeper at home skill I am using/learning…

child rearing!

A spiritual lesson I’m learning…

trusting in the Lord with everything.

A godly character trait I plan to work on...

a cheerful attitude.

Scripture I am memorizing…

it's funny, but just like Alexandra I'm just reviewing verses this week!

I am praying for…

patience with my siblings...even when they're not behaving.

For the rest of the week…

more quilt work, cream-puff making for the Shabbat dessert and a date with Mother Dear on Sunday.

A picture I’d like to share… well, actually two. My quilt fabric and what I've cut so far.

Interested in participating? Sign up here.

Homeschooling - It's All About Learning Anyway, Isn't It?

I just came from M is for Mommy (And Missi) and read the cutest post on an "untraditional homeschool day". I enjoyed it! Lately I've been counting my blessings for being homeschooled, and the flexibility is one thing I love.



Since I'm working on a quilt, for the past week I've been trying to start on my school work as early as possible (for instance, if we've got to wait for the muffins to come out of the oven for breakfast, I'll try to get my English done) so that I can get a little done every day right before lunch time.



Also, another very flexible thing about homeschooling that I love is the place you actually do it at! While I'm mostly at my desk during school time, I also like the couch, dining room table, my bed...and yes, I admit it: the bathroom. Hey, when you've got a lot of things going on around you, sometimes it's the only good place you can really concentrate without interruptions! I have found that when someone calls "Seren!" they're pretty willing to let me off the hook if I call back, "I'm in the bathroom!" :)



So, anyway, I liked that post. :) Missi writes a lot of good ones on parenting and family, spiced up with her great sense of humor, that I love to read. A blog definitely worth checking out!

Pre-Dinner Episode With "The Twins"

So, here I am, opening some hamburger for tater-tot casserole, due to the fact that I forgot to soak the beans last night for chili, and up walk what we call "The Twins".

'Lil Active Boy: What are you making?

Moi: Tater-tot casserole for dinner.

MIT #2: What are you making?

Moi: Tater-tot casserole for dinner.

MIT #2: Are those Teeter-tots?

Moi: No, this is hamburger I'm going to cook.

'Lil Active Boy: For the casserole?

Moi: Yes.

'Lil Active Boy: So you're making Peanut Casserole?

Moi: No, I'm making tater-tot casserole.

MIT #2: And those are the teeter-tots?

Moi: No, this is the hamburger. I don't have the tater-tots out yet.

'Lil Active Boy: Oh. So when are you making the teeter-tot casserole?

Tortilla Mess

Ok, so I tried making homemade tortillas the other day. Didn't turn out. We ate them, but let me tell you I'm never making them again. First of all, the dough was way too dry which resulted in very hard-to-roll-out tortilla balls (see above). Then, when I tried to fry them in the hot, dry pan like they called for, I burned them. Apparently 30 seconds is different where we live. I ended up throwing away about a third of the batch un-rolled and un-fried, and throwing away a good amount of already fried tortillas, but broken, flaky and burnt.

*Sigh* Ok, so I'm not as great a cook as I thought I was. But, I am getting better.

I'm a Super Secret Angel...Are You?

I have just recently joined a group called Super Secret Angels created by Miss Amanda Dixon. Apparently, I am just in time because she is ready to assign new SSAs to everyone. I can't wait to start!

Super Secret Angels is similar to "Secret Sisters", if you've ever done that before. Pretty much, you get information about a girl you've been matched with and send her little gifts, emails and cards just to encourage and make her happy. Meanwhile, someone else has you as their Super Secret Angel and is sending you things, but you don't know who they are! After a little bit, everyone is revealed and a new SSA session starts up.

You should sign up before the next one begins! Who knows? Maybe I'll just be the one to get you!

All Because Two People Fell in Love...

Happy 8th Anniversary, Mom and Dad! We love you. :)