Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
VALEDICTORIAN SPEECH like you've never heard before
I wish I knew her name so I could write her a thank-you note.
Try not to choke on your coffee or bagel.
Try not to choke on your coffee or bagel.
Oh FEDORA, Where have you been all my life???
by Robin
My boys have & had birthdays this month. When given the opportunity to have a shopping spree, what do you think my Andrew picked out?? A Fedora hat. Two. It seemed like such a strange request for a soon-to-be 11 yr old. I thought about talking him out of it but reassured myself that the price of one would change his mind. Afterall, that would take away from toy money. Toys are what a tweenager wants.
But........ it didn't discourage him one bit.
When doing my routine shopping trip, he asked to look for a hat in one store. BINGO! We found the mother-load. He absolutely had to have the black pin-stripe hat. I saw the plaid one and thought that may dress up a casual jeans-type of outfit. Oh goodness, we had a dilemma. Two hats? A few minutes before, I didn't even want to pursue this and now, I wanted two, three, ....one for every day of the week.
And by golly, if he didn't wear it out of the store and home all day long. It's absolutely adorable. And then big brother gets his hands on the plaid one. And he wears it all day long.
Oh my........ what in the world did we ever do without a Fedora on our heads? It increases coolness. It increases the ability to detect a crime. It even helped Alabama's Bear Bryant win football games. Ok, maybe that's an exaggeration.
Daddy even came home from work and seemed very impressed with such a cool, and mature, way to spend birthday money. I have to say that I'm impressed, too.
Have a blessed day.
My boys have & had birthdays this month. When given the opportunity to have a shopping spree, what do you think my Andrew picked out?? A Fedora hat. Two. It seemed like such a strange request for a soon-to-be 11 yr old. I thought about talking him out of it but reassured myself that the price of one would change his mind. Afterall, that would take away from toy money. Toys are what a tweenager wants.
But........ it didn't discourage him one bit.
When doing my routine shopping trip, he asked to look for a hat in one store. BINGO! We found the mother-load. He absolutely had to have the black pin-stripe hat. I saw the plaid one and thought that may dress up a casual jeans-type of outfit. Oh goodness, we had a dilemma. Two hats? A few minutes before, I didn't even want to pursue this and now, I wanted two, three, ....one for every day of the week.
And by golly, if he didn't wear it out of the store and home all day long. It's absolutely adorable. And then big brother gets his hands on the plaid one. And he wears it all day long.
Oh my........ what in the world did we ever do without a Fedora on our heads? It increases coolness. It increases the ability to detect a crime. It even helped Alabama's Bear Bryant win football games. Ok, maybe that's an exaggeration.
Daddy even came home from work and seemed very impressed with such a cool, and mature, way to spend birthday money. I have to say that I'm impressed, too.
Have a blessed day.
Monday, August 23, 2010
LUCKIEST DOGS in the WORLD
by Robin
I think that the dogs of homeschoolers have quite the wonderful life. They have multiple people to let them in & out the door. Multiple people feeding them. Multiple opportunities for pets & butt scratches. Multiple opportunities for car rides.
And multiple opportunities to find somebody, still, reading a book. If a lap is not available, a back or thigh will do.
I think that the dogs of homeschoolers have quite the wonderful life. They have multiple people to let them in & out the door. Multiple people feeding them. Multiple opportunities for pets & butt scratches. Multiple opportunities for car rides.
And multiple opportunities to find somebody, still, reading a book. If a lap is not available, a back or thigh will do.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
TOMATO THIEF!!!! - caught in action
by Robin
This is working out so much better for me to think of blogging as photo sharing instead of trying to write something thought-provoking. LOL. By the end of the day from homeschooling, running errands, putting out fires, feeding the fam, cut the grass, etc, I'm too tired these days to be creative. Maybe I'll have more energy when these dog days of summer are over.
Anyhow, this thief had the nerve to continue stealing tomatoes even while the camera was on him. What a naughty boy! See that cherry tomato, center-stage??
He's got it.....
To balance out his healthy eating habits, I've been feeding him Chex Mix while blogging.
This is working out so much better for me to think of blogging as photo sharing instead of trying to write something thought-provoking. LOL. By the end of the day from homeschooling, running errands, putting out fires, feeding the fam, cut the grass, etc, I'm too tired these days to be creative. Maybe I'll have more energy when these dog days of summer are over.
Anyhow, this thief had the nerve to continue stealing tomatoes even while the camera was on him. What a naughty boy! See that cherry tomato, center-stage??
He's got it.....
To balance out his healthy eating habits, I've been feeding him Chex Mix while blogging.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
HUMOR
by Robin
Andrew was pulling on my hair while driving home from church last week. I told him he's better stop that. Then, he told me he needed a hair sample from me. I asked why? (Why do I ask these things???)
He says he needs to floss his teeth.
* * * * * * * *
Other news is that our Friday co-op started yesterday. Simon Peter has biology & algebra this year!! I'm no longer teaching Civics but assisting with an Art class.
Andrew was pulling on my hair while driving home from church last week. I told him he's better stop that. Then, he told me he needed a hair sample from me. I asked why? (Why do I ask these things???)
He says he needs to floss his teeth.
* * * * * * * *
Other news is that our Friday co-op started yesterday. Simon Peter has biology & algebra this year!! I'm no longer teaching Civics but assisting with an Art class.
Friday, August 20, 2010
CANTALOUPE
by Robin
A couple months ago, I took the seed from a grocery store cantaloupe and put them in little peat moss starter cups. Now, I've got a whole bed of thriving plants w/ blooms. I have 2 babies fruit.
A couple months ago, I took the seed from a grocery store cantaloupe and put them in little peat moss starter cups. Now, I've got a whole bed of thriving plants w/ blooms. I have 2 babies fruit.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
FOUR NEW FRIENDS
by Robin
We had a hatching last week. They are believed to be 4 baby black racers. All skins were found within 2 sq ft of each other.
We had a hatching last week. They are believed to be 4 baby black racers. All skins were found within 2 sq ft of each other.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
MATH REVIEW
by Robin
Don't hate me for my mismatched pjs. YES, I was schooling in my pjs. YES, I'm embarassed but, it was too cute not to show you how the dogs absolutely love hanging with us.
Captain can add!
Kissed by Tiki.
Don't hate me for my mismatched pjs. YES, I was schooling in my pjs. YES, I'm embarassed but, it was too cute not to show you how the dogs absolutely love hanging with us.
Captain can add!
Kissed by Tiki.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
PICTURE WEEK!!!
by Robin
Since I can't seem to find time to write stories about all the cool things that happen here, I'm resorting to pictures only.
Somebody turned 14 a couple weeks ago. Nothing like steak & a lego cake to bring in the new year.
Happy Tuesday!
Oh...... Simon Peter is getting bottom braces today & fitted for an appliance up top.
Since I can't seem to find time to write stories about all the cool things that happen here, I'm resorting to pictures only.
Somebody turned 14 a couple weeks ago. Nothing like steak & a lego cake to bring in the new year.
Happy Tuesday!
Oh...... Simon Peter is getting bottom braces today & fitted for an appliance up top.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
THURSDAY VIDEOS
by Robin
Random videos I finally uploaded.
Boys playing recorders at recital in May.
6 Second video of flips.
Coordinated flips. 15 seconds.
Random videos I finally uploaded.
Boys playing recorders at recital in May.
Untitled from Robins Reports on Vimeo.
6 Second video of flips.
Untitled from Robins Reports on Vimeo.
Coordinated flips. 15 seconds.
Untitled from Robins Reports on Vimeo.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Matthew 19:6 - (My husband who wrote me a love note this morning.).
I read this today and it brought me to tears. - Robin
MARRIAGE
by Anonymous
When I got home that night as my wife served dinner, I held her hand and said, I've got something to tell you. She sat down and ate quietly. Again I observed the hurt in her eyes.
Suddenly I didn't know how to open my mouth. But I had to let her know what I was thinking. I want a divorce. I raised the topic calmly. She didn't seem to be annoyed by my words, instead she asked me softly, why? I avoided her question. This made her angry. She threw away the chopsticks and shouted at me, you are not a man!
That night, we didn't talk to each other. She was weeping. I knew she wanted to find out what had happened to our marriage. But I could hardly give her a satisfactory answer; she had lost my heart to Jane. I didn't love her anymore. I just pitied her!
With a deep sense of guilt, I drafted a divorce agreement which stated that she could own our house, our car, and 30% stake of my company. She glanced at it and then tore it into pieces. The woman who had spent ten years of her life with me had become a stranger. I felt sorry for her wasted time, resources and energy but I could not take back what I had said for I loved Jane so dearly. Finally she cried loudly in front of me, which was what I had expected to see. To me her cry was actually a kind of release. The idea of divorce which had obsessed me for several weeks seemed to be firmer and clearer now.
The next day, I came back home very late and found her writing something at the table. I didn't have supper but went straight to sleep and fell asleep very fast because I was tired after an eventful day with Jane. When I woke up, she was still there at the table writing. I just did not care so I turned over and was asleep again.
In the morning she presented her divorce conditions: she didn't want anything from me, but needed a month's notice before the divorce. She requested that in that one month we both struggle to live as normal a life as possible. Her reasons were simple: our son had his exams in a month's time and she didn't want to disrupt him with our broken marriage. This was agreeable to me.
But she had something more, she asked me to recall how I had carried her into out bridal room on our wedding day. She requested that every day for the month's duration I carry her out of our bedroom to the front door ever morning. I thought she was going crazy. Just to make our last days together bearable I accepted her odd request.
I told Jane about my wife's divorce conditions. . She laughed loudly and thought it was absurd. No matter what tricks she applies, she has to face the divorce, she said scornfully. My wife and I hadn't had any body contact since my divorce intention was explicitly expressed. So when I carried her out on the first day, we both appeared clumsy. Our son clapped behind us, daddy is holding mommy in his arms. His words brought me a sense of pain. From the bedroom to the sitting room, then to the door, I walked over ten meters with her in my arms. She closed her eyes and said softly; don't tell our son about the divorce. I nodded, feeling somewhat upset. I put her down outside the door. She went to wait for the bus to work. I drove alone to the office.
On the second day, both of us acted much more easily. She leaned on my chest. I could smell the fragrance of her blouse. I realized that I hadn't looked at this woman carefully for a long time. I realized she was not young any more. There were fine wrinkles on her face, her hair was graying! Our marriage had taken its toll on her. For a minute I wondered what I had done to her. On the fourth day, when I lifted her up, I felt a sense of intimacy returning. This was the woman who had given ten years of her life to me. On the fifth and sixth day, I realized that our sense of intimacy was growing again. I didn't tell Jane about this.
It became easier to carry her as the month slipped by. Perhaps the everyday workout made me stronger. She was choosing what to wear one morning. She tried on quite a few dresses but could not find a suitable one. Then she sighed, all my dresses have grown bigger. I suddenly realized that she had grown so thin, that was the reason why I could carry her more easily. Suddenly it hit me... she had buried so much pain and bitterness in her heart. Subconsciously I reached out and touched her head. Our son came in at the moment and said, Dad, it's time to carry mom out. To him, seeing his father carrying his mother out had become an essential part of his life. My wife gestured to our son to come closer and hugged him tightly. I turned my face away because I was afraid I might change my mind at this last minute. I then held her in my arms, walking from the bedroom, through the sitting room, to the hallway. Her hand surrounded my neck softly and naturally. I held her body tightly; it was just like our wedding day. But her much lighter weight made me sad.
On the last day, when I held her in my arms I could hardly move a step. Our son had gone to school. I held her tightly and said, I hadn't noticed that our life lacked intimacy. I drove to office.... jumped out of the car swiftly without locking the door. I was afraid any delay would make me change my mind...I walked upstairs. Jane opened the door and I said to her, Sorry, Jane, I do not want the divorce anymore. She looked at me, astonished, and then touched my forehead. Do you have a fever? She said. I moved her hand off my head. Sorry, Jane, I said, I won't divorce.
My marriage life was boring probably because she and I didn't value the details of our lives, not because we didn't love each other anymore. Now I realize that since I carried her into my home on our wedding day I am supposed to hold her until death do us apart. Jane seemed to suddenly wake up. She gave me a loud slap and then slammed the door and burst into tears. I walked downstairs and drove away.
At the floral shop on the way, I ordered a bouquet of flowers for my wife. The salesgirl asked me what to write on the card. I smiled and wrote, I'll carry you out every morning until death do us apart.
That evening I arrived home, flowers in my hands, a smile on my face, I run up stairs, only to find my wife in the bed - dead. My wife had been fighting CANCER for months and I was so busy with Jane to even notice. She knew that she would die soon and she wanted to save me from the whatever negative reaction from our son, in case we push thru with the divorce.-- At least, in the eyes of our son--- I'm a loving husband....
The small details of your lives are what really matter in a relationship. It is not the mansion, the car, property, the money in the bank. These create an environment conducive for happiness but cannot give happiness in themselves. So find time to be your spouse's friend and do those little things for each other that build intimacy.
Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up. A CHRIST-CENTERED MARRIAGE IS A MARRIAGE THAT IS SURE TO LAST A LIFETIME.
"So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate." Matthew 19:6
MARRIAGE
by Anonymous
When I got home that night as my wife served dinner, I held her hand and said, I've got something to tell you. She sat down and ate quietly. Again I observed the hurt in her eyes.
Suddenly I didn't know how to open my mouth. But I had to let her know what I was thinking. I want a divorce. I raised the topic calmly. She didn't seem to be annoyed by my words, instead she asked me softly, why? I avoided her question. This made her angry. She threw away the chopsticks and shouted at me, you are not a man!
That night, we didn't talk to each other. She was weeping. I knew she wanted to find out what had happened to our marriage. But I could hardly give her a satisfactory answer; she had lost my heart to Jane. I didn't love her anymore. I just pitied her!
With a deep sense of guilt, I drafted a divorce agreement which stated that she could own our house, our car, and 30% stake of my company. She glanced at it and then tore it into pieces. The woman who had spent ten years of her life with me had become a stranger. I felt sorry for her wasted time, resources and energy but I could not take back what I had said for I loved Jane so dearly. Finally she cried loudly in front of me, which was what I had expected to see. To me her cry was actually a kind of release. The idea of divorce which had obsessed me for several weeks seemed to be firmer and clearer now.
The next day, I came back home very late and found her writing something at the table. I didn't have supper but went straight to sleep and fell asleep very fast because I was tired after an eventful day with Jane. When I woke up, she was still there at the table writing. I just did not care so I turned over and was asleep again.
In the morning she presented her divorce conditions: she didn't want anything from me, but needed a month's notice before the divorce. She requested that in that one month we both struggle to live as normal a life as possible. Her reasons were simple: our son had his exams in a month's time and she didn't want to disrupt him with our broken marriage. This was agreeable to me.
But she had something more, she asked me to recall how I had carried her into out bridal room on our wedding day. She requested that every day for the month's duration I carry her out of our bedroom to the front door ever morning. I thought she was going crazy. Just to make our last days together bearable I accepted her odd request.
I told Jane about my wife's divorce conditions. . She laughed loudly and thought it was absurd. No matter what tricks she applies, she has to face the divorce, she said scornfully. My wife and I hadn't had any body contact since my divorce intention was explicitly expressed. So when I carried her out on the first day, we both appeared clumsy. Our son clapped behind us, daddy is holding mommy in his arms. His words brought me a sense of pain. From the bedroom to the sitting room, then to the door, I walked over ten meters with her in my arms. She closed her eyes and said softly; don't tell our son about the divorce. I nodded, feeling somewhat upset. I put her down outside the door. She went to wait for the bus to work. I drove alone to the office.
On the second day, both of us acted much more easily. She leaned on my chest. I could smell the fragrance of her blouse. I realized that I hadn't looked at this woman carefully for a long time. I realized she was not young any more. There were fine wrinkles on her face, her hair was graying! Our marriage had taken its toll on her. For a minute I wondered what I had done to her. On the fourth day, when I lifted her up, I felt a sense of intimacy returning. This was the woman who had given ten years of her life to me. On the fifth and sixth day, I realized that our sense of intimacy was growing again. I didn't tell Jane about this.
It became easier to carry her as the month slipped by. Perhaps the everyday workout made me stronger. She was choosing what to wear one morning. She tried on quite a few dresses but could not find a suitable one. Then she sighed, all my dresses have grown bigger. I suddenly realized that she had grown so thin, that was the reason why I could carry her more easily. Suddenly it hit me... she had buried so much pain and bitterness in her heart. Subconsciously I reached out and touched her head. Our son came in at the moment and said, Dad, it's time to carry mom out. To him, seeing his father carrying his mother out had become an essential part of his life. My wife gestured to our son to come closer and hugged him tightly. I turned my face away because I was afraid I might change my mind at this last minute. I then held her in my arms, walking from the bedroom, through the sitting room, to the hallway. Her hand surrounded my neck softly and naturally. I held her body tightly; it was just like our wedding day. But her much lighter weight made me sad.
On the last day, when I held her in my arms I could hardly move a step. Our son had gone to school. I held her tightly and said, I hadn't noticed that our life lacked intimacy. I drove to office.... jumped out of the car swiftly without locking the door. I was afraid any delay would make me change my mind...I walked upstairs. Jane opened the door and I said to her, Sorry, Jane, I do not want the divorce anymore. She looked at me, astonished, and then touched my forehead. Do you have a fever? She said. I moved her hand off my head. Sorry, Jane, I said, I won't divorce.
My marriage life was boring probably because she and I didn't value the details of our lives, not because we didn't love each other anymore. Now I realize that since I carried her into my home on our wedding day I am supposed to hold her until death do us apart. Jane seemed to suddenly wake up. She gave me a loud slap and then slammed the door and burst into tears. I walked downstairs and drove away.
At the floral shop on the way, I ordered a bouquet of flowers for my wife. The salesgirl asked me what to write on the card. I smiled and wrote, I'll carry you out every morning until death do us apart.
That evening I arrived home, flowers in my hands, a smile on my face, I run up stairs, only to find my wife in the bed - dead. My wife had been fighting CANCER for months and I was so busy with Jane to even notice. She knew that she would die soon and she wanted to save me from the whatever negative reaction from our son, in case we push thru with the divorce.-- At least, in the eyes of our son--- I'm a loving husband....
The small details of your lives are what really matter in a relationship. It is not the mansion, the car, property, the money in the bank. These create an environment conducive for happiness but cannot give happiness in themselves. So find time to be your spouse's friend and do those little things for each other that build intimacy.
Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up. A CHRIST-CENTERED MARRIAGE IS A MARRIAGE THAT IS SURE TO LAST A LIFETIME.
"So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate." Matthew 19:6
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
GREAT IDEA!!
by Robin
You know those little 2-door windows at the doctor's office that go between the bathroom (think urine sample) and the lab counters, I was thinking how handy they would be in a home. I wish I could count the number of times somebody needed a roll of toilet paper or a new pair of underpants. Wouldn't that be great to call out a need and somebody place it in the little metal window and a few seconds later, you could grab it with still keeping your dignity intact?
Ahh, it's the simple things in life that make you laugh and yet, make sense.
You know those little 2-door windows at the doctor's office that go between the bathroom (think urine sample) and the lab counters, I was thinking how handy they would be in a home. I wish I could count the number of times somebody needed a roll of toilet paper or a new pair of underpants. Wouldn't that be great to call out a need and somebody place it in the little metal window and a few seconds later, you could grab it with still keeping your dignity intact?
Ahh, it's the simple things in life that make you laugh and yet, make sense.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Beautiful One
by Robin
This is what we'll be opening up service with tomorrow. Not only are the words beautiful, but I love it when the lady in the back of church signs it. The hand motions are just as beautiful.
This is what we'll be opening up service with tomorrow. Not only are the words beautiful, but I love it when the lady in the back of church signs it. The hand motions are just as beautiful.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
GARDEN REPORT - July heat!!!
by Robin
I was hoping to do something like a Wordless Wednesday but it's not going to happen this Wednesday.
We're in that phase where we're having unbearable heat yet very little rain the past couple weeks. That last time it rained heavy was 4th of July. I try not to water much, but I have seedlings in the garden, so I do hit those almost daily.
Pictured below is mostly my herb & pepper portion of the garden. Oregano and tarragon are growing like weeds. I had 3 of each of them started from small pots this spring. So, I transferred a couple of them into pots and lined my pool steps with them. Love that!! The little pots are chocolate-peppermint starters that I plan to give away for the holidays. I also cleaned up this entire area and planted cilantry, flat-leaf parsley, basil, dill and bunching onion seeds.
Below is the right side of the garden. All the spring stuff was pulled and some of it is still empty dirt waiting for fall/winter plants. I did put in some canteloupe seeds from some fruit I bought at the store. They just began blooming. I'm hoping that by the time the hurricane rains hit, they'll be filling baby canteloupes with plenty of water. The bush beans are stressed from the heat. My old variety of cherry toms are doing their normal heat stress, dead by August. But the new variety in the back, bred for heat, seems to be green & healthy but producing very little tomatoes. Hmmm... I'll probably pull some of the worse ones as I put in the new plants.
Here are my new potted herbs. They're so healthy!! My other purpose in doing this is that if we have hard freezes, I can pull the pots in and save some stuff.
Have a blessed day!
I was hoping to do something like a Wordless Wednesday but it's not going to happen this Wednesday.
We're in that phase where we're having unbearable heat yet very little rain the past couple weeks. That last time it rained heavy was 4th of July. I try not to water much, but I have seedlings in the garden, so I do hit those almost daily.
Pictured below is mostly my herb & pepper portion of the garden. Oregano and tarragon are growing like weeds. I had 3 of each of them started from small pots this spring. So, I transferred a couple of them into pots and lined my pool steps with them. Love that!! The little pots are chocolate-peppermint starters that I plan to give away for the holidays. I also cleaned up this entire area and planted cilantry, flat-leaf parsley, basil, dill and bunching onion seeds.
Below is the right side of the garden. All the spring stuff was pulled and some of it is still empty dirt waiting for fall/winter plants. I did put in some canteloupe seeds from some fruit I bought at the store. They just began blooming. I'm hoping that by the time the hurricane rains hit, they'll be filling baby canteloupes with plenty of water. The bush beans are stressed from the heat. My old variety of cherry toms are doing their normal heat stress, dead by August. But the new variety in the back, bred for heat, seems to be green & healthy but producing very little tomatoes. Hmmm... I'll probably pull some of the worse ones as I put in the new plants.
Here are my new potted herbs. They're so healthy!! My other purpose in doing this is that if we have hard freezes, I can pull the pots in and save some stuff.
Have a blessed day!
Friday, July 16, 2010
OLD FRIENDS
by Robin
Sometimes life brings your little surprises that turn into wonderful memories & moments. A few weeks ago, I got an email from a college friend who said she was in my area the next few days, and was I available. Sure. A couple, then few days went by and I figured I had missed my chance.
I got home one morning from getting our testing results and there was a message on my voice mail. It was her! I called them back and they were practially around the corner from my area. I was never so thankful to have a partially cleaned house, well-stocked pantry and a bra on. LOL. (C'mon..... you've been there too ladies.) I invited them to the house for lunch and it was non-stop talking the moment they arrived. The kids were fast friends as well.
Cathy and I met the first day of college in the lunch line. We were roomates twice in our college careers. We stood next to each other in our graduation ceremony. She attended my wedding and I was in her wedding a few months later. I passed down lots of nursery items to her. We visited each other as much as possible through the past 20+ years. An hour or so was not enough time to catch up even though we're FB friends and email buddies. I wish I could have spent days with them instead of head off to VBS and them to Kennedy Space Center. But, we make the most of life and cherish these sweet moments.
And I always make sure I get a picture of our visitors......
We love you guys!! Come again anytime!
Sometimes life brings your little surprises that turn into wonderful memories & moments. A few weeks ago, I got an email from a college friend who said she was in my area the next few days, and was I available. Sure. A couple, then few days went by and I figured I had missed my chance.
I got home one morning from getting our testing results and there was a message on my voice mail. It was her! I called them back and they were practially around the corner from my area. I was never so thankful to have a partially cleaned house, well-stocked pantry and a bra on. LOL. (C'mon..... you've been there too ladies.) I invited them to the house for lunch and it was non-stop talking the moment they arrived. The kids were fast friends as well.
Cathy and I met the first day of college in the lunch line. We were roomates twice in our college careers. We stood next to each other in our graduation ceremony. She attended my wedding and I was in her wedding a few months later. I passed down lots of nursery items to her. We visited each other as much as possible through the past 20+ years. An hour or so was not enough time to catch up even though we're FB friends and email buddies. I wish I could have spent days with them instead of head off to VBS and them to Kennedy Space Center. But, we make the most of life and cherish these sweet moments.
And I always make sure I get a picture of our visitors......
We love you guys!! Come again anytime!
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
4th of July
by Robin
I wish I had time to sit & compose something more thoughtful but you'll have to settle for pictures. Gee, I thought I'd have more time when summer came, but the truth is, I never had lots of free time. I love finding projects for myself. This morning, it was tearing apart the dying garden matter & tilling up ground. I'm prepping for a fall garden.
Here are the 3rd & 4th of July photos:
My sister & her hubby
My older sister, her hubby & 2 daughters came to visit us for the weekend. Most of these pictures are of us from the beach and then dinner & the fireworks show. I'm glad we did all that stuff on Saturday because we were rained out on Sunday for most the day.
My niece who was born 60 hrs after my eldest, Simon Peter.
Andrew
Simon Peter below.
Rock Shrimp about to be broiled.
Guys in the kitchen.
My niece (younger sister).
The 2 of the left celebrated their 1st, 2nd, 3rd & maybe 4th birthdays together. Now, they're doing it again for their 14th. Wow how time flies. (Btw, that's fudge brownies, not cake)
Happy Birthday you two!!! Quit growing up!!!
I wish I had time to sit & compose something more thoughtful but you'll have to settle for pictures. Gee, I thought I'd have more time when summer came, but the truth is, I never had lots of free time. I love finding projects for myself. This morning, it was tearing apart the dying garden matter & tilling up ground. I'm prepping for a fall garden.
Here are the 3rd & 4th of July photos:
My sister & her hubby
My older sister, her hubby & 2 daughters came to visit us for the weekend. Most of these pictures are of us from the beach and then dinner & the fireworks show. I'm glad we did all that stuff on Saturday because we were rained out on Sunday for most the day.
My niece who was born 60 hrs after my eldest, Simon Peter.
Andrew
Simon Peter below.
Rock Shrimp about to be broiled.
Guys in the kitchen.
My niece (younger sister).
The 2 of the left celebrated their 1st, 2nd, 3rd & maybe 4th birthdays together. Now, they're doing it again for their 14th. Wow how time flies. (Btw, that's fudge brownies, not cake)
Happy Birthday you two!!! Quit growing up!!!
HOWDY!!
I actually got inspired to blog our last 2 trips out fishing.
http://robinsreports.blogspot.com/ (If you're a friend and want to be added to my private fishing blog, please send a request in the comments area.)
Surf Fishing last week.
Offshore, last month.
http://robinsreports.blogspot.com/ (If you're a friend and want to be added to my private fishing blog, please send a request in the comments area.)
Surf Fishing last week.
Offshore, last month.
Friday, June 25, 2010
THE MESSAGE
by Robin
I lead a very weird life. For fun, I like to see what Scripture looks like in the Message translations. It's funny to me compared to more widely-accepted translations.
For example.... Habakkuk 3:9-14
THE MESSAGE (part of vv 9-14)
Ocean roared and reared huge waves. Sun and Moon stopped in their tracks. Your flashing arrows stopped them, your lightning-strike spears impaled them. Angry, you stomped through Earth. Furious, you crushed the godless nations. You were out to save your people, to save your specially chosen people. You beat the stuffing out of King Wicked, Stripped him naked from head to toe, Set his severed head on his own spear and blew away his army. Scattered they were to the four winds— and ended up food for the sharks!
VS.
NEW KING JAMES VERSION
The overflowing of the water passed by.
The deep uttered its voice,
And lifted its hands on high.
11 The sun and moon stood still in their habitation;
At the light of Your arrows they went,
At the shining of Your glittering spear.
12 You marched through the land in indignation;
You trampled the nations in anger.
13 You went forth for the salvation of Your people,
For salvation with Your Anointed.
You struck the head from the house of the wicked,
By laying bare from foundation to neck. Selah
14 You thrust through with his own arrows
The head of his villages.
They came out like a whirlwind to scatter me;
Their rejoicing was like feasting on the poor in secret.
What a very strange on the first compared to the latter.
I lead a very weird life. For fun, I like to see what Scripture looks like in the Message translations. It's funny to me compared to more widely-accepted translations.
For example.... Habakkuk 3:9-14
THE MESSAGE (part of vv 9-14)
Ocean roared and reared huge waves. Sun and Moon stopped in their tracks. Your flashing arrows stopped them, your lightning-strike spears impaled them. Angry, you stomped through Earth. Furious, you crushed the godless nations. You were out to save your people, to save your specially chosen people. You beat the stuffing out of King Wicked, Stripped him naked from head to toe, Set his severed head on his own spear and blew away his army. Scattered they were to the four winds— and ended up food for the sharks!
VS.
NEW KING JAMES VERSION
The overflowing of the water passed by.
The deep uttered its voice,
And lifted its hands on high.
11 The sun and moon stood still in their habitation;
At the light of Your arrows they went,
At the shining of Your glittering spear.
12 You marched through the land in indignation;
You trampled the nations in anger.
13 You went forth for the salvation of Your people,
For salvation with Your Anointed.
You struck the head from the house of the wicked,
By laying bare from foundation to neck. Selah
14 You thrust through with his own arrows
The head of his villages.
They came out like a whirlwind to scatter me;
Their rejoicing was like feasting on the poor in secret.
What a very strange on the first compared to the latter.
TURNING LIVING WITHOUT HOPE into HOPE
by Robin
A couple weekends ago, our pastor brought this photo and its story to our attention. It is a Sudanese child who was on her way to a feeding trough with the rest of her village. She was so weak, she stopped to rest like this. For 20 minutes Kevin Carter, the photographer, waited for the vulture to spread its wings, but it didn't. He eventually snapped the photo and chased away the vulture. He did nothing to help the little toddler, which drew much criticism after the photo was released.
The St. Petersburg Times in Florida said this of Carter: "The man adjusting his lens to take just the right frame of her suffering, might just as well be a predator, another vulture on the scene." Her fate was unknown, BUT, Carter was awarded the Pulitzer prize for Feature Photography two months after the picture was taken.
A year later, all that fame couldn't buy Carter peace. He was "haunted by vivid memories", according to his suicide note. He took his life by carbon monoxide poisoning at the age of 33. Carter had no hope that there was something better beyond the pain & suffering that he had seen as a photographer. He saw the worst in humanity, but he did not know the best humanity had to offer - JESUS.
Yet, Jesus must have revealed something to him AFTER he realized his lack of compassion on a starving child. The pain. The heartache. The regret. If only he could do it all over again. Maybe he did take the words to heart that he was nothing more than a predator, waiting for that next great photo. He had separated his heart from his work.
God's Word says, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." - Matt 25:40
The modern day church is to be the hands & feet for Christ.
Later in that same passage, God says, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'" (v45)
Living with that regret would haunt me too. It's a double-tragedy beyond Shakespearan proportions. Sad that we lost a photographer that could have turned his life towards Christ and become a great humanitarian too. And sad that world hunger still goes on like this every day around the world and people turn a blind eye to it.
I want to leave you with these final thoughts. Here's a quote I really like but don't know whom to give credit to:
"When you see what Jesus saw, You will feel what Jesus felt."
WEBSITES:
http://www.manofpeacedevelopment.org/ - to bring clean water & drip irrigation to the people of West Africa. (website being built now - soon to be opened)
World Vision -Sponsor a child
A couple weekends ago, our pastor brought this photo and its story to our attention. It is a Sudanese child who was on her way to a feeding trough with the rest of her village. She was so weak, she stopped to rest like this. For 20 minutes Kevin Carter, the photographer, waited for the vulture to spread its wings, but it didn't. He eventually snapped the photo and chased away the vulture. He did nothing to help the little toddler, which drew much criticism after the photo was released.
The St. Petersburg Times in Florida said this of Carter: "The man adjusting his lens to take just the right frame of her suffering, might just as well be a predator, another vulture on the scene." Her fate was unknown, BUT, Carter was awarded the Pulitzer prize for Feature Photography two months after the picture was taken.
A year later, all that fame couldn't buy Carter peace. He was "haunted by vivid memories", according to his suicide note. He took his life by carbon monoxide poisoning at the age of 33. Carter had no hope that there was something better beyond the pain & suffering that he had seen as a photographer. He saw the worst in humanity, but he did not know the best humanity had to offer - JESUS.
Yet, Jesus must have revealed something to him AFTER he realized his lack of compassion on a starving child. The pain. The heartache. The regret. If only he could do it all over again. Maybe he did take the words to heart that he was nothing more than a predator, waiting for that next great photo. He had separated his heart from his work.
God's Word says, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." - Matt 25:40
The modern day church is to be the hands & feet for Christ.
Later in that same passage, God says, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'" (v45)
Living with that regret would haunt me too. It's a double-tragedy beyond Shakespearan proportions. Sad that we lost a photographer that could have turned his life towards Christ and become a great humanitarian too. And sad that world hunger still goes on like this every day around the world and people turn a blind eye to it.
I want to leave you with these final thoughts. Here's a quote I really like but don't know whom to give credit to:
"When you see what Jesus saw, You will feel what Jesus felt."
WEBSITES:
http://www.manofpeacedevelopment.org/ - to bring clean water & drip irrigation to the people of West Africa. (website being built now - soon to be opened)
World Vision -Sponsor a child
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Enough Nature pictures!!
by Robin
About 10 days ago, our neighbor, R, graduated and had her party. It was a lot of fun to attend because it involved a POOL!!! ha ha. (Oh! and corn hole)
I managed to escape being documented at the party (LOL), but I copied this photos of my guys on R's facebook page.
Andrew found his niche' with all the graduates. He was their... um... mascot. They swung him so hard into the pool that he first went over 10 ft airborne over the pool, almost flying back into cement on the other side and caused his Mama to scream at the thought of seeing her baby die.
Those big boys didn't realize that Andrew is only about 60 lbs.
This was their alternative fun with their little buddy.
At the risk of embarassing Jack, I really wanted to show you this funny picture of him. It looks like he is walking on water. He really *is* like Jesus. LOL.
Ok, well that is my fun for today. Let's see if I can make it 3 blogs in a row tomorrow.
About 10 days ago, our neighbor, R, graduated and had her party. It was a lot of fun to attend because it involved a POOL!!! ha ha. (Oh! and corn hole)
I managed to escape being documented at the party (LOL), but I copied this photos of my guys on R's facebook page.
Andrew found his niche' with all the graduates. He was their... um... mascot. They swung him so hard into the pool that he first went over 10 ft airborne over the pool, almost flying back into cement on the other side and caused his Mama to scream at the thought of seeing her baby die.
Those big boys didn't realize that Andrew is only about 60 lbs.
This was their alternative fun with their little buddy.
At the risk of embarassing Jack, I really wanted to show you this funny picture of him. It looks like he is walking on water. He really *is* like Jesus. LOL.
Ok, well that is my fun for today. Let's see if I can make it 3 blogs in a row tomorrow.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
SPIDERS
by Robin
Seems like spiders are popping up in the strangest places, every single day. I've killed a hand full of black widows in our garage and in my shed. YIKES!! A couple weeks ago, we came across these two love birds. I don't know which species they were, but they build their web right on a pair of goggles.
Upon closer inspection (imagine all 4 of us staring at this little web), we realized it was two spiders. Then, when I went to break the web, we found one of the spiders to be dead and the other to be quite alive.
My guess is that the female had killed her husband and was going to eat him for nutrition to grow babies in her huge abdomen.
Ugghhhh, I really don't like spiders. I'm not afraid of them, per se, but there are just way too many of them around here for my liking. Last year about this time, I was bitten on my chin by something most likely in the spider family. My skin melted away and I was left with a nice scar (to this day). Life would be fine for me without them. (Was the politically incorrect?)
Have an awesome Wednesday!
Seems like spiders are popping up in the strangest places, every single day. I've killed a hand full of black widows in our garage and in my shed. YIKES!! A couple weeks ago, we came across these two love birds. I don't know which species they were, but they build their web right on a pair of goggles.
Upon closer inspection (imagine all 4 of us staring at this little web), we realized it was two spiders. Then, when I went to break the web, we found one of the spiders to be dead and the other to be quite alive.
My guess is that the female had killed her husband and was going to eat him for nutrition to grow babies in her huge abdomen.
Ugghhhh, I really don't like spiders. I'm not afraid of them, per se, but there are just way too many of them around here for my liking. Last year about this time, I was bitten on my chin by something most likely in the spider family. My skin melted away and I was left with a nice scar (to this day). Life would be fine for me without them. (Was the politically incorrect?)
Have an awesome Wednesday!
Thursday, June 17, 2010
VBS week
by Robin
Part of raising up fishermen for Christ is attending and working VBS. I think I'm in my 9th year of being a part of this yearly tradition in many churches across this nation.
Simon Peter is too old for it and we don't have a youth version, so he has volunteered his energy to the recreational team. In short, he picks up cones, catches balls and places children in their right positions. He's a good man for the job because he is always so encouraging and he has tons of energy. He has a good sense of age-appropriateness and willingness to serve. He is one of my VBS heroes this year.
Andrew is the 4th grade class and enjoys every aspect of VBS, even though he at a much deeper level of understanding the Bible than others around him. For him, it is about the socialization. He likes to be friends with everybody, which can be very useful in God's kingdom. He has serious leadership skills and he's learning the ins & outs of relationships. I'm very proud of all that he is and will become. Two of his teachers came to me (separately) last night and said that he corrected the main teacher giving the Bible lesson. Basically, the teacher said that everyone goes into eternity and there is heaven waiting for them if they do their ABC's (Accept, Believe, Confess). Andrew skipped to the next level in Revelations and insisted there was a New Heaven and New Earth coming up. So true, young wise one........ but we had a life lesson on learning not to correct teachers and confusing the lessons for new children.
I have been working in the kitchen, handing out children's snacks and eating way too much VBS worker's food. It's a great job. ha ha. Tuesday night, I was in the nursery with two toddlers. While I enjoyed that to some degree, I certain was a clock-watcher those entire 2.5 hrs. It would be much easier if we could get out and sit in on some of the activities, but when I tried that, they saw their parents and the tears started again. I'm so thankful to whomever created Bubble wands. It stops tears almost instantly.
Next week, I hope to get back on the blogging trail and get back to summer relaxing.
Part of raising up fishermen for Christ is attending and working VBS. I think I'm in my 9th year of being a part of this yearly tradition in many churches across this nation.
Simon Peter is too old for it and we don't have a youth version, so he has volunteered his energy to the recreational team. In short, he picks up cones, catches balls and places children in their right positions. He's a good man for the job because he is always so encouraging and he has tons of energy. He has a good sense of age-appropriateness and willingness to serve. He is one of my VBS heroes this year.
Andrew is the 4th grade class and enjoys every aspect of VBS, even though he at a much deeper level of understanding the Bible than others around him. For him, it is about the socialization. He likes to be friends with everybody, which can be very useful in God's kingdom. He has serious leadership skills and he's learning the ins & outs of relationships. I'm very proud of all that he is and will become. Two of his teachers came to me (separately) last night and said that he corrected the main teacher giving the Bible lesson. Basically, the teacher said that everyone goes into eternity and there is heaven waiting for them if they do their ABC's (Accept, Believe, Confess). Andrew skipped to the next level in Revelations and insisted there was a New Heaven and New Earth coming up. So true, young wise one........ but we had a life lesson on learning not to correct teachers and confusing the lessons for new children.
I have been working in the kitchen, handing out children's snacks and eating way too much VBS worker's food. It's a great job. ha ha. Tuesday night, I was in the nursery with two toddlers. While I enjoyed that to some degree, I certain was a clock-watcher those entire 2.5 hrs. It would be much easier if we could get out and sit in on some of the activities, but when I tried that, they saw their parents and the tears started again. I'm so thankful to whomever created Bubble wands. It stops tears almost instantly.
Next week, I hope to get back on the blogging trail and get back to summer relaxing.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
LARVA ON A STIX
by Robin
This is not intended to be part of my special dietary menu!!
These are Black Swallowtail larva.
They are destroying my dill plants.
And Cilantro....
So, we decided to pull one plant, put it in a habitat, then put ALL the caterpillars in there together. I hope they create those chrysallis(s) soon and then we can see butterflies!!! I try to do one project a year like this from something in the garden. One year, we watched Giant Swallowtails emerge from their chrysallises. (crysalli?)
Is it me or do they look like I skewed them on sticks?? They've eaten off all the tops of my plants. Did you happen to notice all the escargot on my herbs too?? Grrrr.
I'll try to get our habitat pics up soon.
Have a great weekend!!
This is not intended to be part of my special dietary menu!!
These are Black Swallowtail larva.
They are destroying my dill plants.
And Cilantro....
So, we decided to pull one plant, put it in a habitat, then put ALL the caterpillars in there together. I hope they create those chrysallis(s) soon and then we can see butterflies!!! I try to do one project a year like this from something in the garden. One year, we watched Giant Swallowtails emerge from their chrysallises. (crysalli?)
Is it me or do they look like I skewed them on sticks?? They've eaten off all the tops of my plants. Did you happen to notice all the escargot on my herbs too?? Grrrr.
I'll try to get our habitat pics up soon.
Have a great weekend!!
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