Aren't you glad??

Snow gently falling outside the window.  It has blanketed the ground and is about a foot and a half deep.  It keeps on falling and may end up like the winters I remember as a child.  The snow always seemed so much higher then.  The banks were about two stories high and the forts had turrets and walkways, bedrooms and cellars.  King of the Hill could send you plummeting 15 feet.  Now we use the snowblower and we don't get banks anymore.  It does make for some hard crust that can  be cut and made into igloos of sorts.  There are squirrel tracks and mouse tracks that I can see out the window.  Everything looks so soft out there.

Our lives here have been going through some changes.  Our business isn't making it.  Each month sends us farther behind.  My husband was injured after falling 8 feet onto cement and landing on his head.  He's been laid up about a week.  Praise the Lord, he didn't have a concussion.  He did require 14 stitches and his neck and back are messed up, but it could have been much worse.  This means that he won't be able to haul a flatbed for quite a while.  So much for our business.  I guess sometimes things get decided for you.  Only God knows how this will turn out, but it helps to know that nothing happens that He's not aware of and in control of.  It is teaching me not to obsess over bills.  I can't do a thing about them, now.  We will be downsizing and selling some of our equipment.  This will simplify things greatly.  I feel a kind of relief.

 Back to the gently falling snow.  The warm temps.  My loving husband.  My healthy, happy children.  We are blessed beyond measure. 

From Glory Farm.

Seven Random Things

I was tagged.  I'm not too good at this, but here goes.  Angela at Within the Lines tagged me. 

Here are the rules as posted at her blog:

    * Link to the person that tagged you, and post the rules on your blog.

     * Share 7 random and/or weird facts about yourself.

     * Tag 7 random people at the end of your post; include their links.

     * Let each "tagee" know that they've been tagged by leaving comment on their blog.

I think a lot of you have been tagged already, so if I retag you, you get to do it again?

Seven random things about me:

1. I love NASCAR.

2.  I'm turning out a lot more like my mom than I thought I would.

3.  I avoid conflict, even when conflict is necessary.

4.  I have a daughter I never see and a son who went to be with the Lord.

5.  Cool Ranch Doritoes and Diet Mountain Dew are my indulgences.

6.  Jesus is my saviour and I want everything in my life to be for His glory.  (I need much help in this area.)

7.  I complain about too much to do and then waste precious time.

I guess those are pretty random, eh? 

I'm just gonna leave those tags out there.  If anyone hasn't been tagged yet-now you are. 

Keep warm,

Rhonda

Parental Rights???

There are things that get my dander up.  I think the Lord allows them in my life to help me grow in love.  Dealing with certain people on the phone can have me acting non Christ like.  People telling me what I can and can't do with my children is another thing that angers me. It's the second one that has me up in arms tonight.

I received a letter from the school where our older two attend.  It was informing me of their truancy policy and the consequences of non-compliance.  Example:

"Excused absences include illness, medical and dental appointments, religious release, college visits, funerals, family vacations, and school functions."  Okay so...

Illnesses with a doctor's note will be excused, but without a doctor's note may or may not be. Yadda, yadda, and so on.  Children will not be excused to chase cows, take care of siblings, visit grandma, etc.  "If a student receives an unexcused absence, a warning letter is mailed to the parents to alert them to the attendance situation."

"If a student receives three unexcused absences on three or more days, the student is considered "continuing truant".  At this point, the school  notifies the appropriate social services department that deals with truancy and /or the county attorney's office."

"If a student receives seven unexcused absences on three or more days, the student is considered "habitual truant".  At this point, the school again notifies the appropriate social services department that deals with truancy and/or the county attorney's office."

"The following consequences may occur when the student is referred to county truancy services.  Face-to-face meeting with parents, juvenile court, student may lose or be denied driving privileges, parents may be found guilty of a misdemeanor and/or be charged with educational neglect if they are found to be contributing to the student's absences."

Okay, is it just because I don't like being told what to do?  Why does it bother me so much?  I encourage my children to learn, but I don't stress out about them going to school.  If they have something else to do, I usually let them.  There are other ways to get an education.  My oldest came home and said this whole policy stinks.  Well, not quite like that, but close.  How can a school take parents to court if their children miss school?  How can a school take away drivers' licenses? 

I feel better now.  Thanks for letting me vent.  God is in control and not the school district.  (But boy, they sure think they are.)

Good evening.

 

The House, The Lice, The Blessings and The Visit

The house building is at a standstill right now, but that was actually part of the plan.  My honey put a window in the kitchen last Saturday.  I love windows and I found some that were returned and clearanced.  They're beautiful and only 1/3 of their original price.  I think it'a a God thing.  They were exactly what I was looking for.

 

Our horses came down with lice.  Uck!  We've been using eucalyptus oil and vinegar.  Also, putting garlic and seasalt in their grain.  I've been dusting with diatematious earth and praying.    I broke down and bought some dusting powder and I'm still praying.  At least they're not getting any worse.  I think they came in with the Angora goats I picked up about 3 months ago.

 

God is giving my honey work.  He's out in Pennsylvania right now and trying to find a load out of there tomorrow.  Praying some more.  He  missed yesterday's snowstorm here and slightly frigid temps this morning, -12.  We owe and owe, but I think God is trying to teach me -"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, with prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known."

 

More good news!!!  We're getting company.  My brother-the one from Florida-is coming up next Wednesday.  He gets to stay for a week.  Merry Christmas to me.  Thank you Lord.  God knew I needed something to look forward to so He's sending Doug.

 

Well, that's the update here at Glory Farm.  Thanks for taking time to read my ramblings.  I'll try to get something more Christmasey on my blog.  This just won't do.

Rhonda