Friday Fun

I'm going back in time for this week's Friday Fun. I was recently reminded of how much fun we had while unschooling our kids. I ran across a paper that one of our daughters wrote for a college class a couple years ago. She said, in part:

"Being unschooled, the number one question I was asked was, 'How do you have friends?' Ironically, this was most often asked by my friends! Usually I would laugh it off, knowing that I had all kinds of friends. Friends in the neighborhood, Girl Scout Troop, swim team, church, some from our times in Hawaii, friends I would meet on crazy family adventures, friends from my weekly volunteer work at the Food Bank. These friends, who were of all ages, would end up being the greatest teachers I could ever have had."

Here are some pictures from one of the fun times, with oodles of other kids.

We sure did have fun back in the day!

Thankful Thursday

"He (Fr. Ed Hays) reminds his readers that being a faithful disciple of Christ means much more than going to church every Sunday and challenges them to live the gospel every day of the week." (Ave Maria Press)

For several years I have been a member of a Small Catholic Community, or what we refer to as "Small Church." This is a place where we can safely discuss our faith, our thoughts on what is happening in our church, how we might best live out the Gospel. And pray together. We have a wide age range, from mid-twenties to mid-sixties, and we are open to learning from each other. We don't always agree but we rest in the assurance that God loves each one of us-- always, no matter what, and that God is present in all of our discussions.

With the hierarchy of our Church wanting to disregard so many of us today, and trying to put God into some sort of a very tiny box, our Small Church is a welcome refuge where I can say that we truly encourage each other to examine the true meaning of the Gospel – the GOOD news - and to look carefully on what Jesus would do in all situations.

And for this I am truly thankful.

What are you thankful for this week?

Wordless Wednesday

Mother Teresa

“People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered; forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; give the world the best you've got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God; It was never between you and them anyway." ~Mother Teresa~

Make-it Monday

I was busy this past week with lots of crafting.

First, I needed some cards:

I also needed an ATC and an Inchie:

These are the ATCs I received from my aunt:

I'm fairly certain the girl and boy on the second ATC are my aunt and my dad!

And finally, today is Dream Time Monday in the Creative Awakenings group so here are my pages for November. I'll see where these take me!

Now, on to NaNoWriMo.

Have fun creating this week and let me know what you've been up to.

Friday Fun

My brother-in-law posted this on his Facebook today. It reminds me of a certain little kitten whose name starts with Quinton! Thanks for the laugh, Ray!

Thankful Thursday

Today, after about a foot and a half of snow, I find myself thankful for many things.

I am thankful that I have warm clothing, that I have the ability to shovel the snow, and I can listen to music while doing so.

I am thankful that I can shovel the snow AND the leaves at the same time!

I am thankful for entrepreneurial little neighbors who sell their pictures.

This is what one dollar will buy you on our block:

It's Corduroy!!!

I am thankful that the sun is coming out -- maybe.

And finally, after all the shoveling, I am thankful for a warm spot to read.