the favorite little sister

 

…is under the weather today  :-(

Those blue eyes are glassy and sad.  Our Popper has had a fever for at least 24 hours.  And the latest reading this evening was over 104F.  Worries my mama-heart.

She stayed home from church with me last night after telling me how cruddy her throat was {altho it’s still not sore!}  She slept most of the time.  And still went to bed early – and except for a brief cry for help at 1:30am, slept and slept.  I got her up for a tiny bit of breakfast {finally took her temp} and attendance at their video Bible class.  Then she slept away the rest of the morning!  This afternoon she was able to do a little more schoolwork while camped out on the couch.

Yes, I have our arsenal of home remedies engaged.  Gypsy Cold Care tea, homemade elderberry syrup, oregano oil, cranberry concentrate, vitamin C, and thieves essential oil.  Fresh ginger to suck on when her stomach hurts.  And today she’s had two mini-doses of Tylenol {I don’t think I’ve ever given our kids more than a teaspoon at a time – tho’ that is the recommended dose for a two-year-old}  I just want to take the edge off the fever, not undermine its purpose in fighting and killing off whatever nasty bug is currently plaguing our sweet Popper.

Her fever is back down below 102F now, so she should be able to go to sleep.  With the diffuser blowing a variety of oils.  And  the violins lullabying.

Good night ~ Sweet dreams

the little foxes

 

..that spoil the vines…

Is this really what the Bible is talking about?  Seems like that’s how I hear the verse quoted… the little temporal trials that we allow to rob our eternal joy now.  If so, the verse applies.  And I am guilty.

 

 

Why does this machine leave me so frustrated? 

We purchased a new printer/scanner/copier/blahblahblah last December.  Sometime this year {summer methinks} the top feeder stopped working.  Okay, whatever.  Then we couldn’t copy using the flatbed either.  :p  The scanner wouldn’t work unless the computer told it to.  If I didn’t have another printer in the other room, I’d have called HP sooner I suppose.  {Anyone else procrastinate when the job is spending hours on hold to speak with someone in India…?}

I knew I had $$ at Staples to redeem this month, and what I usually buy there is ink or paper.  Good stock of paper already, so I decided I should buy ink.  However I didn’t want to stock up on ink for a printer that was dying and irreplaceable.  So before I went shopping, I called Staples to ask what to do about this printer still under its 12-month warranty.

Since it was more than 60 days since purchase, he couldn’t replace it for me.  He gave me the phone number for HP.  After 67 minutes on the phone for their ‘free’ troubleshooting service, they had agreed I needed a replacement printer.  Hmmm, a “certified” reconditioned printer.  {fyi, “certified” sounds more like “thirty-five”  -- which had me a bit confused in the conversation.  It’s an Officejet 6700…}

Said printer arrived yesterday.  An hour or so later I had the ‘new’ printer hooked up with the original power cord and paper tray and other transferred parts…and the old one boxed up to ship.  {Soon, or I will be billed for the replacement printer.  No refunds.}  Anyway.  I saw a message “Scanner Failure” when I tried to copy something as a test.  But I thought surely after I’d jumped through the rest of the set-up hoops, it would think better of me… and work.

This is becoming a long story, eh?  Sorry.  Well, you can guess what I had to do.  After too much monkey business I called HP again.  And went through the 'free’ troubleshooting service to do a ‘partial reset’ [pretty soon I could work for HP too methinks]… while the tech hoped it would decide to work.  Not happening.  You guessed that already, didn’t you?

They will be sending yet another ‘certified’ reconditioned printer.  {No charge.  Unless I fail to return the broken printer soon enough of course.}  Ms. HP Hardware Support Supervisor assures me the next one will of course work perfectly.  I wish I had requested a coupon good for a NEW printer from my local Staples instead.  Tomorrow I will find the FedEx Store in Ames to ship the first printer… Next week I’ll have to return to FedEx to ship the second…

And hopefully that will make an end.  For at least six months?

 

Oh, here’s today’s additional joke… I opened an email this morning from HP Support with this request:

Please send us the original hardware purchase receipt (Scanned/Faxed)

Um, just how would I do that?  My printer/copier/scanner/fax machine does not work.  Oh, the irony.

# # # # #

 

Meanwhile I need to work on my response when asked how I am doing today by a service technician…  ahem. 

“Better than I deserve”

Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ ~ Ephesians 5:20

daybook 9/23/2013

 

For today, Monday, September 23, 2013 

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:5

Outside my window...  sunshiney beautiful day!

Hearing...  the dryer tumbling and rumbling, the wind blowing through the open window, the Popper doing math, the Cattleman harassing and distracting his sisters.  No, our house is not “quiet” with the older three off to college  ;-)

Pondering...  a simple clothesline - umbrella style …and how quickly it would pay for itself if I didn’t run the work clothes through the dryer

Praying...  for Jill having surgery today, for Mrs. W having surgery tomorrow, for the B family expecting new baby soon, for the A family in China, for our college kiddos, for the P family, for young families at church pursuing fulltime ministry, for Andy & Jon both in their second month of boot camp, for Kali & family awaiting results from last week’s biopsy, for Tim & the guys getting started at harvest today 

Thankful... for last week’s rain,  for the changing seasons of  ‘seedtime and harvest’ – and for God’s faithful promises

While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.  Genesis 8:22

Reading...  Bible – Psalms, Acts, Ephesians 

History read-aloud – Volume 1 of A Basic History of the United States by Clarence B. Carson

In the kitchen...  leftovers of pizza and beef roast, applesauce, Kate’s cinnamon rolls {from freezer}  More menu options: farmhouse bbq biscuits, cheddar baked chicken

In the learning rooms...  Too much fun.  [insert scowling face] 

As seen {heard} in the frequent laughter and chatter coming from the other room.  ;D

Going… to look for some deck chairs… hopefully on clearance?

Around the house... 

The Mother Load... Keeping up with school work and house work etc.  Defrost freezers?  Make jam.  We should visit our friends at the Berry Patch and pick apples.  And haul away the mountain of s.t.u.f.f. accumulating for Good Will.

[drum roll] 

I devoted Saturday afternoon to conquering my enemy, the Ironing Pile…

*** It is finished.  Hallelujah! ***

Something to remember for later...   to ride along with Tim to the livestock auction barn more often

A Bible verse...

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.  Ephesians 2:10

A few plans for the rest of the week...

We still need to clean the office since we were otherwise occupied on Saturday.  Wednesday – first night of Kids 4 Truth.  Thursday – piano lessons, groceries & other errands

A peek into my world...

Little by little, inch by inch… Tim & crew ‘finished’ the deck project on Saturday – Yay! 

Railings to be added someday.  For now, Tim just needs to decide which new charcoal grill/smoker? to buy. Soon, says me, since I wanted it for him for Father’s Day… 2012.

    

~.~.~.~.~

Giving credit where credit is due:

While I am not linking up with anyone, you could read more weekly news posts at other blogs by following any of these links:

• Peggy at the Simple Woman’s Daybook

• Julie for adapting this daybook version as her own ‘Grasshopper Days’ ~ Perhaps I could call it the GHV Daybook. :)

• You can also find a similar weekly meme in Happy Homemaker Monday at Sandra’s

~.~.~.~.~

Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord,

that thou fulfil it. Colossians 4:17

daybook 9/17/2013

 

For today, Tuesday, September 17, 2013 

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:5

Outside my window...  a little bit of R>A>I>N>  We might get half an inch in the next 24 hours, but that would still be a great blessing!

Hearing...   Mr. Fitch – the kids were watching Bible class

Pondering...  where to find some truly farm-fresh eggs this week {chickens at my usual sources are molting after last week’s extreme heat}

Praying...  for the Couriers group still in Moldova, for the A family in China, for our college kiddos, for the P family, for young families at church pursuing fulltime ministry, for Andy & Jon both in their second month of boot camp, for Kali & family awaiting results from yesterday’s biopsy

Thankful... for rain!

Reading...  Bible – Psalms, Acts, Galatians 

Volume 1 of A Basic History of the United States by Clarence B. Carson – I decided we’d better have a few days of meatier reading before we enjoy This Dear-Bought Land :-)

In the kitchen...  Yesterday was a kitchen day – large batch of dough became calzones, deep dish pizza {freezer}, and baguettes.  Banana muffins/bread and pumpkin muffins/bread.  Today I should bake regular bread while it’s still baking weather.  More meal prep for a family w/a new baby any day – and our supper – chicken tetrazzini for both?  It still amazes me how far our meals go with only three of the kids at home!

In the learning rooms...

four-digit divisors, percents, and irrational numbers {Popper, Cattleman, Cowgirl}

plants, simple machines, and sound waves {ditto}

US geography – Connecticut {Popper & Cattleman}

Creating… hmm?

Going… to haul the recycle items to town soon – before the garlic jars do any more damage

Around the house... too many fruit flies :p

The Mother Load... I was so pleased with myself last week – on Tuesday I spent time on all three areas of procrastination!  Conquering the school work pile was much easier than the ironing…

Something to remember for later...   how much food and how many workers to organize for next year’s church service in the park  :-)

A Bible verse...

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.  Galatians 2:20

A few plans for the rest of the week... piano lessons, groceries & other errands, cleaning at the office

A peek into my world...

 

~.~.~.~.~

Giving credit where credit is due:

While I am not linking up with anyone, you could read more weekly news posts at other blogs by following any of these links:

• Peggy at the Simple Woman’s Daybook

• Julie for adapting this daybook version as her own ‘Grasshopper Days’ ~ Perhaps I could call it the GHV Daybook. :)

• You can also find a similar weekly meme in Happy Homemaker Monday at Sandra’s

~.~.~.~.~

Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord,

that thou fulfil it. Colossians 4:17

remembering 9-11

 

 

Psalm 33:12, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.”

The best way to remember those who are lost is to do what you can to bring God back into our country.

I challenge you today to take some time to remember. Remember what made America great was that she was founded upon Christian principles. Those Christian principles will only become part of America again if individuals make those principles an every day part of their lives. It is up to us as individuals. If you are going to truly remember those who lost their lives twelve years ago, then you must make God the LORD of your life again!

~ Allen Domelle

daybook 9/9/2013

 

 

For today, Monday, September 9, 2013 

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:5

Outside my window... incredibly hot and dry {photo above is from a different year}

Hearing... the stirring of LEGOs

Pondering...  a plane ticket for Daniel for Christmas

Praying... for the Couriers for Christ group traveling to Moldova today, for a family in midst of difficult days, for our college kids to stay healthy and grow in wisdom, for my parents who are traveling, for rain, for wisdom, for the mind of Christ…

May the mind of Christ, my Savior,
Live in me from day to day,
By His love and power controlling
All I do and say.

May the Word of God dwell richly
In my heart from hour to hour,
So that all may see I triumph
Only through His power.

May the peace of God my Father
Rule my life in everything,
That I may be calm to comfort
Sick and sorrowing.

May the love of Jesus fill me
As the waters fill the sea;
Him exalting, self abasing,
This is victory.

May I run the race before me,
Strong and brave to face the foe,
Looking only unto Jesus
As I onward go.

May His beauty rest upon me,
As I seek the lost to win,
And may they forget the channel,
Seeing only Him.

{net hymnal link}

Thankful...  for insurance on Tim’s cell phone, for inter-library loan, for air conditioning!

Creating...  a blog post!  ha ha

Going... to wish I’d bought another watermelon last week -- after we finish what we have tonight

Reading...  the Bible – II Corinthians and the Psalms,  Drake: The Man They Called a Pirate (love, love, love Jean Lee Latham’s books!)  Next up:  This Dear-Bought Land

    

Looking forward to...  having some Holstein steers on the farm again… maybe? 

In the kitchen...  leftovers of taco rice casserole tonight -- and custard to make into vanilla ice cream

Around the house... 39 37 pints of new salsa!

The Mother Load...  Ironing, dusting and checking school work seem to be the things most easily ignored  :-)

One of my favorite things...  feeding my family and friends good food 

A few plans for the rest of the week...  celebrating Kate’s 20th birthday {wow!}

A peek into my world...  {last month}

blankets for the several little boy babies!

camera lesson with Sarah for Abby

  

the Popper made apple dumplings {with some helpful advice and assistance}

 

 

~.~.~.~.~

Giving credit where credit is due:

While I am not linking up with anyone, you could read more weekly news posts at other blogs by following any of these links:

• Peggy at the Simple Woman’s Daybook

• Julie for adapting this daybook version as her own ‘Grasshopper Days’ ~ Perhaps I could call it the GHV Daybook. :)

• You can also find a similar weekly meme in Happy Homemaker Monday at Sandra’s

~.~.~.~.~

Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord,

that thou fulfil it. Colossians 4:17