for Tuesday

I want to tell you about a great way to help someone! I have a friend whose grandbaby has cancer. She is only 2! There is a great fundraiser going on right now to help the family with expenses. Go to www.homestudio.etsy.com and you will see the cutest pendant necklaces made out of scrabble tiles! I bought 3 myself and I love them! So go order a necklace today and help a little girl out. (Be sure and put "For Tuesday" --that's her name-- in the checkout so they'll get credit for the purchase.) thank you all!

25 Random Things about Valerie

1. I've been married now longer than I was single.
2. I used to play the violin and wish I still did.. either that or the piano.
3. I love to travel and would travel all the time if $$ wasn't an issue.
4. I love to go watch plays...especially at this little theatre in Cleburne, TX. They are so good!
5. I am really grumpy and gripey and I tend toward pessimism...I really have to work on it half the time and hold my tongue the other half!
6. I was a big nerd in school.
7. I love to read and research and learn new things. (this really goes well with the traveling bit!)
8. I would love to write a book someday but don't know if I will.
9. I have no idea what I'm going to do once all my kids leave. :(
10. I'm trying to grow my hair out now.. it's so slow.. I wish it were a foot longer. It really is easy though..just wash and wear!
11. I volunteer with my daughter once a week at the Crisis Pregnancy Center Resale shop. It's alot of fun and I would love to volunteer some more.
12. When I'm in the reading mood..or find a good author.. I read about a book a week.
13. I turn into a pumpkin at 10:00pm. (not literally! I'm just so sleepy past that!)
14. I've been homeschooling for 11 yrs now.
15. I started wearing only skirts about 2 yrs ago. I like that they fit better, feel better and are more modest. It's a bit cold in winter..but with leggings and funky long socks it's great!
16. I have to be in the mood for what I'm wearing that day.. and sometimes on Sunday I might change 2 or 3 times.
17. Earl Grey tea is my favorite.
18. I would love to say I've been to every country in Europe sometime. (I've already been to six but Italy is my favorite so far!)
19. I've been teaching a class about missionaries in our homeschool co-op since it started (about 6 yrs ago)..different missionaries thoughout time.. I love missions and would love to go on missions trips once a year--again the $$.
20. My love language is service-- although NO ONE else in my family seems to have that same love language.
21. It's really hard to think of 25 random things about yourself... (does that count as one?)
22. I love all the quiz/trivia shows. Anything about geography or history is wonderful!
23. Most of the time when people see me at church they ask me "How's Larry?" -- I want to say (but don't) "I don't know --I'm not Larry--but if you want to know about ME--I'm fine thank you!"
24. We decoupaged (sp?) our dining room table with all kinds of pics from magazines of things that represent our family. It's quite the conversation piece.
25. I hate moving (although we've moved about 10 times since we've been married) but I do love the change and being able to get rid of stuff. ... I don't like to be a pack rat.

Odd jobs

I haven't had too many paid jobs in my life. I've been a waitress, admin assistant, and worked in a cookie shop. Nothing too exciting. But I have the toughest job in the world now. And I don't even get paid for it! (and least not monetarily!) That is raising my kids. It's so hard because there's no formula. There's no daily list of tasks we need to accomplish. There's no clock in or out time. There's no bonuses. There's no reviews. Just when you think you get it figured out..they grow up and move on to new things and issues. Yes--it is a really tough job, no-I wouldn't change it. With help and wisdom from others who've gone before, and a lot of prayer somehow we will make it through this maze called parenting. And hopefully our kids will too and look back and appreciate it.

I hate getting older. It doesn't seem like I should feel old at 37 but I guess my body is letting me know some stuff. Everyday when I wake up..it takes my body a good while to get moving. I feel old and stiff. The chiropractor is helping a lot though. So thank goodness for him! My new year's resolutions are to get moving more. Stay active. Ride my bike or walk ...you know.... EXERCISE!! Yikes! Well, there's always good intentions at the start of a new year..but I think I can do this for the sake of my body. I'll let you all know how it turns out as the year goes on. I guess getting older is just a part of life. :)

Crazy Texas Weather

I love the Texas weather! You never need to put away all your winter clothes! It has been beautiful all week --and it's January! It was 81 degrees today! I love getting out of the house and working in the yard, planting flowers, cleaning out the flower beds, feeling the warm sun rays on my face, sitting in the hammock reading a book, watching the kids play outside and jump on the trampoline.... Since summer is so hot here, it's nice to be able to get out in January! I better enjoy it today because tomorrow it's suppossed to be in the 40s! :(