Thoughts, Adventures, & Daily Life of a Home-Schooled High-Schooler

In between the many calls at work today, I thought of my blog. I used to spew my opinions freely and frequently, but life got busy and I kinda forgot about this little platform. No big opinions or profound thoughts today - just an update on life through some photos. Strawberry season occupied nearly all my mental capacity for the month of June. We were blessed with a good year, but boy oh boy am I glad that strawberry season is not any longer than it is. Treated our strawberry pickers to ice cream one day.   Martina helped me keep the shortcakes stocked - they definitely were a hit!! Ended June with summer Bible School. Our theme was aviation Planting strawberries for next year - we had some wonderful helpers and it went very well!! Low country boil with the Allgyers Several evenings spent with my family on the river A bridal shower Elissa's goat had a cute little kid Austin's sister Kayla got married and we were honored to be part of the bridal party A very fun day at Knoebels...

Decided to post a draft that I had typed from this summer. I didn’t feel like posting it the time… so enjoy it now🤷‍♀️ Somebody made the comment to me recently that my life seems so glamorous and full of adventure. *cue a very shocked expression on my face.* My life glamorous? Full of adventure? People, don’t think for a second that I find mountains of laundry, cleaning, and cooking very exciting.  Quality of life depends so very much on your attitude towards whatever comes your way. And I’ll be honest, sometimes my attitude towards everyday, mundane life just stinks. . . . But if you need an idea for an every day adventure…. 1) find at least 5 children under the age of 12 (the more the better😅) 2) a grandmother or another person dedicated solely to come along and photograph the adventure  3) locate a pick-your-own orchard 4) a ton of patience and laughter Let me warn you that you will have to inspect every single peach before it’s picked, (otherwise they will all be green o...

1 God of our strength, enthroned above, the source of life, the fount of love, O let devotion’s sacred flame our souls awake to praise thy name. Refrain: God of our strength, we wait on thee, our sure defense forever be. 2 To thee we lift our joyful eyes, to thee on wings of faith we rise. Come thou, and let thy courts on earth ring out thy praise in days of mirth. [Refrain] 3 God of our strength, from day to day direct our thoughts and guide our way. Oh, may our hearts united be in sweet communion, God, with thee. [Refrain] 4 God of our strength, on thee we call. God of our hope, our light, our all, thy name we praise, thy love adore, our rock, our shield, forevermore. [Refrain]  It was the opening song on Sunday; very fitting I thought, considering all that the last year had held. 2020 was not the best year of national events. My last post touched on a few of the main ones, if you took the time to read it. (and if you didn't, I'm in no way offended😁!!)  Bu...

On Monday I cleaned up my desk and put away all my school books. All of the sudden, it hit me that I don't need this stash of favorite notebooks and mechanical pens - there is no "next year of school - I'll use it then". * * * * * * * * * * * * This spring, several of us have different projects. Most of the projects involve animals - ranging in side from tiny bunnies to full grown dogs. Dad has pigs - 3 of them. The idea is to raise and butcher them this fall, with possibly a greased pig contest before then.   They have been given the names of Pinky, Black Tail, and Spoty. **Please be informed that these pigs were named by the younger children** Mom decided she wants to plant beans. Dad made her the raised beds, relocated the tea beds, and several scoops of mushroom soil later, they are ready to be used. Brian and I have our puppies, which went to the vet on Wednesday. Trenton wants chickens, but we have yet to find laying hens. Martina's project is helping Mom wi...

Its been a strange week.  The week started off with a drive-in Easter Service at Green Ridge. We stayed in our vehicles and the preacher spoke from the bed of a pickup truck. After the service concluded we left as directed, waving to our friends, and then dropping the offering into the red bucket. I spent a good portion of Monday studying. I had my EMT test scheduled down in Chambersburg on Wednesday (more details on that later in the post) and wanted to be well studied and prepared.  Returned numerous calls and answered questions from interested (and disappointed) puppy customers.    Made Bacon Ranch Chicken Casserole for lunch. Yummy! Tuesday was also spent in studies, and in the evening Brian and I left for Harrisburg. We participated in our EBI class discussion on monasteries (We all decided that while there are some virtues for monasteries, none of us would be joining!). On Wednesday morning I awoke long before my alarm was to...

    Ever since I started this blog (nearly a year ago) my Blog Link has been big-sis-2-seven.blogspot.com.     I had chosen that name because I thought it fit very appropriately. But now that Mr. Anthony has come along, that name is no longer exactly accurate. I thought about changing it to big-sis-2-eight or big-sis-2-seven+1, but I'm not sure if I really like either of them.    If you have any suggestions, comment below!

        This week the 1st and 2nd graders were learning about George Washington, and the curriculum suggested making tricorn hats as an additional activity. I dutifully complied, and now we have tricorn hats. It would appear as if wearing the hat for school makes you wiser. * *  * * * Last week, Martina took step-by-step photos of me making meatloaf. I was surprised to see this photo! The egg is in mid-air, between the shell and the bowl! . . .mixing everything together. . . . . .ready for the oven!

    This year I am teaching the younger children's history and science subjects. We have been learning about the Indians, and suggested making wigwams one day, and tepees the following.       I dutifully complied with the teachers manual and Tuesday morning found us making wigwams outside. (Mainly 'cuz I thought a flour-and-water paste would be easier to clean up on a driveway, than on a kitchen floor!)           Our neighbor's lab thinks life is too great to be taken in at a slow pace. When a toddler opened his porch door, he took advantage of the opportunity for adventure.         I didn't let him join our class, but rather took a brief "recess" and returned him to his owners.  Construction continues. . .   The wigwam village. . . . . .and the Indian tepees from the Plains.