Lost Dogs

A few months ago, we found two Bluetick Coonhounds roaming our neighborhood. The kids begged me to put them in our yard to keep them safe.  We walked them around the neighborhood. I posted their info on the County websites. Checked if they had a chip, they didn't.  No tags either. The next morning, I finally posted them on Craigslist and the owners called within the hour! 

Last Friday, we were out walking our dog and came up to three dogs walking together. They all had the same kind of collar on. The big one followed us on our walk. The little ones went their own way. The big one came home with us. Thinking that the box on the collar was a tracker, I let him stay in our yard until the owners found him. I took him to the vet, no chip. It isn't a tracker, either, it's a bark collar.  When he barks he gets zapped. Oh. 

A week later, he is still here.  I have posted on Craigslist several times, with pics.  No calls.  Why don't owners put tags on their pets?  It would be so much easier to get them home.  There are so many posts about lost and found pets.  Some pets are even stolen from their backyards!  Why don't the people who steal dogs, go find a stray one? The SPCA is full today.  I went to see if the owners made a poster. Nothing.  Where are the two little dogs that were with him? Why aren't they calling????  He is crying now, wants to come inside with our other dog.  He is a big dog and may get bigger. I'm not even sure of the breed, boxer/pit mix??  We do not want to take him to the pound, though he is so cute, he will probably get adopted.  But he wants his family. Sigh.

Then we went to Target.  As we were about to drive away, I looked in front of my car and sitting in a Target cart I see a box with two puppies poking their heads out! I said, "Look! There are puppies!"  My kids jumped out of the car and picked them up, counting five in all!  My daughter picked up the whole box and was about to bring them in the van, but I told her to put them back in the cart. We took the cart and puppies to the outside front of the store and I told the security guard who came out to see.  He thanked me as he reached for his radio.  I am hoping that some soft hearted Target workers will take each of the puppies home.  They were so cute and not crying at all, just kind of bewildered. :(  And hopefully, weaned. So sad.  People are so stupid.

Please put tags on your pets!

Here is our house guest:

Book: God's Smuggler

I can't believe it has taken me 30 years to finally read God's Smuggler by Brother Andrew!  I just don't know why I haven't read it yet.  It is the story of Brother Andrew's work smuggling Bibles into the Iron Curtain in the 50's and 60's.  Amazing, amazing story. I liked it so well, I am reading it out loud to the kids.  He shares amazing stories of God's provision of money even though he never asked anyone for it.  There are stories of him meeting other Christians in these countries, Christian who did not have Bibles and their amazing stories of continuing on in the faith despite the difficulties.  This story stands out to, though it is a sad one:

Two of Brother Andrew's fellow workers, Marcus and Rolf, went to Albania.  They found out that there were no Albanian Bibles.  But then they learned that there was one in a Greek Orthodox Church. They asked to see it, so the priest took them to it.  They stood looking at it for a few minutes, then the Priest turned to go.

"Rolf burst out, 'But I want to go closer! Can't I look at it? I mean, open it. See the pages.'

"As the guide translated, the priest's eyes widened in horror, Closer! But no unordained person ever stood closer than four yards to the Holy Scriptures!

"Then, faltered Rolf, what was the sense of the new translation? Since the priests read Greek, what was this Bible used for?

"Why, to be carried in solemn procession.  To receive the homage and adulation of the people.  What else would a Bible be used for? And think what solace the faithful must gain from knowing that God Himself had spoken in the new language of the great people of Albania."

My Baby is 9!

Not only did my oldest daughter turn 16 just 11 days before, but my baby is 9!!!  It doesn't seem that long ago that I was in constant baby, nursing, diaper mode.  Sniff.

But she is a sweetie and loves to help me in the kitchen.  She loves kitties and clothes and even math!  It's great having a little sister in the house.

Sweet Sixteen

Our lovely daughter, our first born,  turned 16 today.  My head is spinning.  She is a great gal, a big helper around here and her siblings love her attention.  She loves the Lord, music, drawing, writing, her cats, her family and friends and books, books, books.  She is a blessing to all of us. Happy Birthday, Honey!

Full Circle Jesus Music

I would like to start posting about various ministries that I think are doing good things for God.  Here is my first one.  My dh found it while searching for Darrel Mansfield.  Someone gave me a tape of Darrel's music when I first got saved back in 1980 and I've missed those old songs that ministered to me as a baby Christian.  Full Circle Jesus Music is an online radio program with new programs once or twice a month. The focus is on Christian Music from the 70's and 80's.  They have podcasts of the programs, too.  Here is the link.  I hope you enjoy it:
Full Circle Classic Jesus Music

Happy New Year 2011!

I have decided to try and blog more often.  I started this blog at Blogger over 2 years ago, but never used it.  I am officially using this blog account.  I was at homeschoolblogger for several years and will stop in now and then to keep it active so I don't lose my posts. Would love to transfer it over here, but that will take too much time, I am sure.

I don't usually make New Year's Resolutions, but I am this year. 

I am going to read through my Bible in a year, along with my 3 oldest kids.  I'm off to a great start, I read it this morning. :)

I never, ever diet, not since High School have I tried to lose weight!  But at age 48, the pounds are piling up!  So I am going to attempt this so-called easy diet:  The  No S Diet .  No snacks, no sweets, no seconds.  Except on weekends and special days.  I will start on Monday :) 

I must, must start exercising!  Even if it just walking the neighborhood with the kids and dog.  That is my first step.

I want to learn guitar, again.  I got a Takamine guitar in high school from my Uncle Mike.  I took a year class and didn't learn how to play!  My fault, I'm sure.  I tried, but wasn't consistent in practicing.  But I kept that guitar for my future husband. Maybe he will want to play it.  Well, guess what?  He did!  I didn't get married until 12 years after I graduated high school, but I kept that guitar, even storing while I lived in Hawaii and Thailand.  That new husband of mine picked up my old bent guitar and learned to play all by himself, with a few helpful tips from our wonderful friend, Joycie.  It served it's purpose well, and is no longer with us.  E bought a 12 string several years ago, but that is too hard for me. We also have some kid guitars, one that is pretty decent, so I will attempt to practice on that.  Man, I don't even have a picture of that old Takamine.

So here's to a new year and a new blog and new goals!

10 Years of Homeschooling

Ten years of homeschooling down, ten to go, all involving teaching High School! I've been wanting to write this post since we finished our 10th year in June, but at least I am getting in 2010. When we first started in Sept. 2000, I had one student and a few littles. Two years later, my second student joined us. I've been teaching all 5 for 3 years. I have just 3 more years teaching all 5 of my kids. My oldest, who turns 16 in a few days, will graduate in 2013. In that year, I will have 3 in high school! One by one, they will finish our homeschool and at some point in their lives, move out on their own. We will almost have 5 teenagers at once, but our oldest will turn 20 just 11 days before our youngest turns 13. That will be in four years, and boy that isn't very long. The time is flying by. May I take full advantage of every minute I have them with me in our home. I better go spend this New Year's Eve with them now.
Here is our oldest in her Kindergarten year, 2000: