Saturday, September 25, 2010

Ancient Greece Lapbook

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Sunday, September 12, 2010

2010 Pope County Fair Horse Show

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Stock Horse Mare at Halter. Missy Got 4th place.

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The very end of a long and wonderful day.

She loped! ClaireAnna loped at the show on Missy for the first time ever. And then she loped and loped and loped all over the place! She didn’t place well this year since she JUST started loping on her horse today and because she has just moved up into an age group where she is one of the youngest. But….SHE LOPED! And she loved it! It was an exciting day!


Thursday, September 9, 2010

Thoughts on Pain

Written 6/15/2010
Since pain is part of my life again, (hopefully temporarily!) I've been thinking a lot about it. I spent many years of my life in frequent or constant pain. After my hip joint replacement surgery and recovery I was amazed to rediscover what a pain free body felt like. I've spent seven wonderful years essentially pain free and I am so grateful to God for every second of them. Each and every second of the last seven years has been an amazing blessing to me and I will never stop thanking God for them, no matter what happens in the future. During those years, I have been given many cherished memories that will sustain me through the rest of my life.

Pain can be a positive influence on your life. There are several good things that pain has done for me.
1. Pain has given me compassion for others who are in pain, many much, much worse then I.
2. Pain has helped me to be more acutely aware during my pain free times, encouraging me to live in that moment, be grateful for that moment and make the best of THAT moment!
3. Pain has helped me to not "sweat the small stuff" and instead set my priorities more in line with God's. A lot of things that might be bothersome in ordinary circumstances become quite insignificant when you’re in pain.
4. Pain has driven me to trust God more fully.
5. And finally, pain has helped me set my sights on the beautiful future that is promised to me for all Eternity and to look forward to spending it praising God in a pain free, glorified body!
When you lay down to sleep tonight, take a mental inventory of your body from head to toe. Can you close your eyes, breath softly and rest in a pain free body? If you can, then say a prayer of thanksgiving. Take a moment to FEEL what you are not feeling and remember. Never take it for granted that you will be able to do the same tomorrow. Smile as you fall asleep because you are well blessed.

When your own body is attacking you, one fact becomes very clear. Peace cannot be found within yourself. There is only one kind of peace available and that is the peace of God that passes all understanding. In that peace, which is lovingly and freely given, one can find a rest that will sustain, support and refresh like nothing else on earth can. In my weakness, He is strong.

May God bless you and keep you.
Praise the name of the Lord.

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Hog Shaving Day

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First you take a muddy pig and get her into a small pen. It’s tricky, but if you’re clever, you can get her in. Be the pig.

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Hose her off completely. She will love this!

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Let her dry in the sun.

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Once she’s dry, you have to get in the pen with her. Bring your cordless clippers.

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Let her go where ever she wants because there is nothing you can do about it anyway.

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As she moves around and roots in the grass, go ahead and shave her entire body…without cutting her. You wouldn’t want to make her angry…… She weighs more then you.

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Be patient. It takes a long time and she moves around a lot.

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Don’t forget her butt. It’s her shining glory and it has to look GOOD!


Then put her back into her pigpen and let her get into her wallow. It will sooth her skin.

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Oh, and don’t forget to feed her. She will be starving after her busy day!

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One huge pig, ready for the fair!