Sailing Through the Blogosphere

Recently, I've branched out and begun exploring the favorite blogs of some of my favorite bloggers. I can see, now, that this could become an addiction. There is one blog, which for now shall remain nameless (though you can find its link on this very page), that has been open on my browser, in some form or another, nearly the entire time my computer has been on for the past week.

One thing I've noticed is that all tracks eventually lead to SpunkyHomeSchool. Not one to easily join any crowd, I wasn't even tempted to check out Spunky's blog. But this morning I decided to trust the collective opinion of those whose opinions I continually read and appreciate, and I clicked over to see what Spunky had to say. I wasn't immediately hooked, but kept browsing until I hit upon a gem. As brain-tied as I am, I always appreciate it when others express my opinions or beliefs more logically or eloquently or convincingly than I could myself. That said, read what Spunky has to say about youth groups. As far as I'm concerned, she's right on!

I've also noticed that I'm woefully deficient in my exposure to classic literature. The irony of being convinced of this through the reading of blog after blog is not lost on me. Thankfully, I recently brought my children a huge stack of classics from the library, so as soon as I turn off the computer, I can dive right in!

Ok, realistically, I probably won't begin reading until I've finished editing a book for a friend, applying for my children's social security cards, updating another website (or two), and reading dozens more blog entries. But it's on my radar, and the books are in my house, and that's a start, at least.

June Pearl of Wisdom

Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

I found this little gem of a verse yesterday as I read Psalm 34 on another blog.

It seems the family is currently in a little behavior cycle in which this verse serves as a timely reminder as often as we can remember to say it. I don't doubt that before long, we will all have it memorized and, it being God's Word, I am certain we will begin to see less evil and more peace... soon.

Thank God I paid attention!

For the past several days, it seems that everyone I talked to (and it seems I've talked to everyone) asked if we'd sold our house yet. Over and over, I admitted that we hadn't actually shown the house since the end of April. 6.5 weeks ago, to be exact. That would be depressing, but for this: we've been very busy with other obligations, and haven't been prepared to show the house for quite some time.

Yesterday morning, with my teenager (gulp) on a 4-H trip and my husband at work, darling daughter and I put our heads together for a special girls-only planning session. We decided what we could reasonably accomplish in a day's time, and came up with a pretty long list. I said to her, "I have a feeling the realtor will call today and ask to show the house. And we're SO not ready for that!"

We worked, gave each other back rubs, and worked some more. The littles helped wherever they could. We didn't get the dogs bathed and groomed, but we covered nearly everything else on our list. That felt pretty good.

And then, midafternoon, the phone rang.

We had just over two hours to get the house totally spuff (Armstrong past-tense of "spiff") and be out of here. OH -- guess that feeling was the Holy Spirit. Woo-hoo! So we skipped afternoon naps and kicked it into high gear. This place looked as spiffy as it could look. And supper was in the crockpot; we were good to go.

We didn't go far... we sat in a neighbor's driveway until they turned into our driveway so we'd know what time they arrived. Then we did a couple of errands down the road and waited for them to leave. After 45 minutes, they left and we were able to come home.

Supper sure did smell good when we walked in the door. Loren got home a little after we did, and he called the realtor to see how the showing had gone. The realtor seems hopeful... said it went well, and that supper smelled great. LOL

So... we'll see what comes of it. Maybe we'll get an offer. Either way, I'm glad I paid attention yesterday morning.

Toby is supposed to come home tonight. I'm so excited! I can handle loosening apron strings, no problem. But it was a bit much to say goodbye to him the morning of his 13th birthday so he could judge livestock on the other side of the state. It'll be great to have him back.

Holding out just a little longer

It's been a month since I started itching to unpack all the school books. The kids are looking forward to it as well. So I finally made a list of what we need to get done before we can unpack the books. Hopefully we can finish the painting and spiffing and repairing and packing on the list by the end of June. It doesn't change anything... we'd have had to finish those things before starting anyway, and we'd have started in July most years anyway... but I think it'll keep me focused. I love lists.