happy new year

Here it is. The beginning of a new year. A year of new beginnings.

2014 was a doozy. I can say that I am glad, heartily glad to see it go. It was such a hard year, trying my soul and spiritual mettle to breaking. And my dreams and goals have grown and broadened.

We rang in the new year with Alex and the Horn kids. We had watched all nine hours of the the LOTR extended trilogy and ate lots of snacks. It was a great start to 2015!

GROWTH
I was asked what is my WHY several times, especially towards the end of the year. It is a question that the Young Living hierarchy beats on their encouragement drums. I read my first MLM business-building book in October. The Four Year Career by Richard Brooke was a quick yet inspiring read. I look forward to expanding my knowledge about essential oils, as well as building this business.

As I thought about my WHY, I discovered several things about myself. First, I am not as organized as I would like to be. I have spent many hours over this holiday sorting through piles of paperwork, receipts, mail, old bills, and school papers that should never have been allowed to accumulate. I can do better than this, I know.

The second thing that I realized is that I cannot do everything. I cannot do more than I can do. And sometimes, I need to sit and sip a cup of hit tea and think about nothing. It's not about how groomed my yard is, or how beautiful my garden is, whether I get everything done that I need to do, making an "A" on every paper and test, or signing up new YL members at every class I teach. It is about trusting God and taking each day as it is given to me.

A BETTER ORGANIZED LIFE
I am starting my journey towards a more organized life with a 2015 Calendar Planner. I purchased it today and am excited to use it. I confess, I have never used one. Ever. I have always journaled and blogged in various levels of writing fervor, but I have never, to my knowledge, written down my goals, appointments, and busyness.

CIAS & MY CAREER
During October's FCCPSA training workshop, I learned several new organization tools that we have already implemented and will continue to develop. I designed and published a brand new CIAS website. I am very proud of it. I spent over a month this past summer working on it, deconstructing the old one and creating a fresh new advertisement profile and informational website. For the very first time, we also transitioned into online reporting system. I am not entirely pleased with the record-keeping website that we chose (it was the only one that I knew of at the time), but I have since found another that I think will better suit our record-keeping needs. I also created a professional profile for the school (to be used for NCAA and such) and wrote a new Scope and Sequence manual, complete with learning objectives for each grade level. There is more to do on it, tweaking it to my liking, but the first edition is published.

Getting the last graduating class through school was quite a feat. Many of them were unmotivated, and some have just finished this December. Prom in April was a bomb in more ways than one. I was asked, by the organizing committee, to leave the premises twice. The gall of some people. I had forty students with me and have always stayed to watch over them. Other that that poisonous sting, it was a fun evening. But...the kids have decided that we will throw our own prom this spring. Oh, boy! There will be more about that to come, I am sure.

Summer was largely absent from school this fall, as her mother was in the last stages of cancer treatment before she died in October. Kristen has been my right hand woman, especially since Tricia has not been at 100%. One noted miracle of the year happened on one day that Kristen could not come to work, and that next morning, it was as if Tricia rose from a deathbed to teach again. I was in awe of Jehovah Jireh!

FINANCES
I have been working very hard to pay off all my credit cards. I hate my debt, and I hate that I let myself get into debt. Student loans are bad enough, without having my former spending habits haunting me. I have been gaining control and have been doing so much better, each year gaining  more and more control and disciplined over my finances. I started working on paying it all down/off three years ago. In 2014 I have paid off three two cards completely, and they are now out of circulation, so to speak.

Tricia finally qualified for disabilities. Poor thing. She can't work very much anymore, her physical body is so weak and stiff. But her disabilities is a pittance. I want her to get a lawyer, and her neuro suggests it. So I have taken the brunt of supporting the family. I barter with one of my school families, and their boys help me with landscaping and yard work. So the yard is getting tamed, more to my liking. And Tricia gains strength and continues to maintain the bookkeeping and taxes and all her accounting duties. Things I have never had the patience for.

I also refinanced the 2110 house this year (Okay, I HAVE gotten a lot done this year!!!). We are saving ourselves several hundred dollars a month now, and Sarah has kept renters all year, but I have profited little from that income. I have funded several home repairs and remodels at the 2012 house in 2014. That is where I live with Mom and Tricia. Half the house is unused, so we cordon it off to save money. We finally had the tile shower finished in the newly combined bathroom that Daniel had started so many years ago, as well as a dozen other projects that Bryan M fixed for us. Daniel came over and ran my dryer lint hose out the back of the house, so that it would not continue to blow into the rec room and make a mess. It is so much nicer, and I am thankful to him.

HEALTH, OR LACK THEREOF
Tricia and her bushel-full of health issues almost swallowed the summer in its entirety. What an ordeal she has been through, and what effort Mama and I have put out to save her health!!! In March, I put Tricia on a stricter Paleo diet, and in April I joined Young Living to use essential oils on Tricia. By the time May rolled around, Tricia was off her feet. By June, she was bedridden. After 90 days, we began to see results from our drastic efforts. It was a very difficult three months. Thank Hashem for His mercy and grace throughout that trial. I thought I was going to have a heart attack from all the pressure.

She was finally diagnosed with a general diagnosis of inflammatory arthritis and is now on methotrexate to help with pain, swelling, and stiffness levels. Her colonoscopy report came back good for the first time since diagnosis: no ulcers (last report, her colon was "fully involved"). Her MS is not currently active, although its effects are ever present with a stumbling gait and neuropathy in her legs (burning). 

I have continued to maintain weight loss throughout the year. THM has been a God-send! I have pulled down 75 pounds all together so far, and I have kept it off. I am sixteen months into my THM and weightloss journey. Over the holidays, I felt very good and had lots of energy. I am so pleased that God has shown me what to do to get healthier.

FAMILY
Our nieces continue to delight us. It brings great joy to me to see them grow up to be sweet, kind, and loving girls. Corrie Lynn has accepted Jesus as her Savior and is such a sensitive doll. Juliana Mae has been learning to be sweet and more tolerant of others. She is a determined and cheerful girl, and her impromptu kisses and declarations of love are heart-melting. Leah Kathleen is our baby, and she knows it! Her main phrase now is, "I don't like it." She loves baby dolls, so Mrs. "Aubee Santa" put together pink bunk doll beds and a high chair for Little Miss' Christmas. It is so cute to watch her play with them!

We are glad Cori and Brian are close by in Magnolia Springs. It makes for a better aunti-life. And Cori's emotional support has been a life-saver for me! :-)

Sarah started dating a fellow named Mark Garcia in August. They are now engaged and planning to be married in March. On the Saturday after Thanksgiving, we all went with her to find a wedding gown. She will be lovely on her special day, and I am one of her maids of honor. This has been a growing experience for the family nucleus and will continue to be so, I believe, as time passes. I love my baby sister and am determined to have the mind of Christ in all things.

I did not quite get my Christmas tree decorated this holiday. We bought a beautiful tall Noble fir right after Thanksgiving, and I put lights on it. But ornaments? No. I was sad that I had no time, and when I did, I did not feel well or had other, more pressing things to do. I told Cori that I should hire her to do my decorating next year! :-) We did put out the lighted Christmas nativity in the yard ( for the first time in many years) and candle lights in all the front windows. And also decorated the school quite nicely earlier in the month.

Mama continues to age. I feel for her increasing feebleness. She helps me care for Tricia and is our main chauffeur. Right now, she has injured her knee, so I am driving them around. I do not like that role, as I am not used to going out so much.

PERSONAL
I am plugging away at my psychology degree. I love my psych classes, as well as my Biblical studies classes. This fall, I took Theories of Personality (loved!) and then Intro to Philosophy (hated!). This spring I take Cognitive Psychology and Psalms. I should love both! I have begun searching for a Masters program that I am interested in, since I am near the end. I am tossing around pursuing a MSW. Regent and Liberty are on the block. Student loans mount, but my trust is in the Lord. He knows what I need and when I need it.

Adding essential oils to my daily routine has been life-saving. I feel better and was able to overcome a bout of depression that tried to oppress me this fall pretty quickly. I am on a better routine of supplements now, as I can afford them.

Instagram and Facebook both saw quite a bit of me, snatches of time here and there. I started The MaryBeeBuzz profile for my Young Living business, as well as established a Young Living website. I read 50% of the Bible through. I had wanted to read it all the way through, but I did better than last year, so that is what I focus on. I did not get to read as much as I would have liked, mostly due to my studies. Most evenings are consumed with reading and writing for classes. I am thankful for holidays and summer terms, free from the grind.

I have decided to make new five and ten year plans. I had thought that by the time I am 45, I wanted to foster or adopt (if I am unmarried). But now I think I will focus on finishing a Masters and then begin familial pursuits. Then maybe I will work on a doctorate in counseling. That could take me to 50, eleven years from now. And my dream of running a family counseling center could be realized.

PLANS FOR 2015
My remodeling project plans for 2015 include the sun porch and lighting and flooring for the kitchen. For the sun porch, it will need tiling, replacing its window, blinds, and painting. I would also like to move towards a total remodel of Cori's old bedroom, removing paneling, putting up drywall, and putting down carpeting, replacing the window and lighting fixtures.

I need to clean out the attics and the second story of the storage shed. These are projects that I hate to tackle on my own.

I have bought a ticket to go to the August Young Living convention and am looking forward to it. In September I will be 40; it seems hard to grasp that I am this old. I do not feel it. I may do something special to celebrate, or go somewhere. Cori and Brian seem to take yearly trips to the Tennessee mountains, so I may treat myself to an early bday gift in the spring.

I will complete 12 more credit hours as well, inching me towards my educational goals. I am also looking forward to several Bible studies, the first of which is Priscilla Shirer's study of Gideon at Hillcrest BC starting in several weeks.

More about my New Year Resolutions later...
Hello, 2015!

a day to fill the cracks

I have been needing a day off. A day to fill up the cracks in my faith.
Off from work, from family stress, from financial pressure, from life in general.
Sometimes I get too entrenched in it all.

So today is that day. Actually, a combo of yesterday morning and today that I have managed to eek out. A day just to soak and read the Word and pray and worship and let the Holy Spirit heal my soul and minister to my spirit.

Chris Sligh on Pandoa provides the backdrop.
My old Living Bible as the Meat.
My laptop as an apply conduit of God's Grace.

I'm reading 1 Thessalonians and more.
Verses that speak to this weary heart...

1:5  "For when we brought you the Good News, it was not just meaningless chatter to you; no, you listened with great interest. What we told you produced a POWERFUL EFFECT upon you, for the Holy Spirit gave you great and full assurance that what we said was true. And you know that our very lives were further proof to you of the truth of our message."

1:10  "And they speak of how you are looking forward to the return of God's Son from heaven-Jesus, whom God brought back to life- and He is our only Savior from God's terrible anger against sin."

2:4  "For we speak as messengers from God, trusted by Him to tell the truth; we change His message not one bit to suit the taste of those who hear it; for we serve God alone, who examines our hearts' deepest thoughts."

2:7-8  "But we were as gentle among you as a mother feeding and caring for her own dear children. We loved you dearly- so dearly that we gave you not only God's message, but our own lives too."

2:11-12  "We talked to you as a father to his own children...pleading with you, encouraging you and even demanding that your daily lives should not embarrass God, but bring joy to Him who invited you into His Kingdom to share His glory. And we will never stop thanking God for this: that when we preached to you, you didn't think of the words that we spoke as being just our own, but you accepted what we said as the very Word of God- which, of course, it was- and it changed your lives when you believed it."

2:18  "...but Satan stopped us."

2:19-20  "For what is it we live for, that gives us hope and joy and is our proud reward and crown? It is you! Yes, you will bring us much joy as we stand together before our Lord Jesus Christ when He comes back again. For you are our trophy and joy."

3:2-3  "I decided...to send Timothy...to visit you to strengthen your faith  and encourage you, and to keep you from becoming fainthearted in all the troubles you were going through. (But of course you know that such troubles are a part of God's plan for us Christians..)."

3: 10  "For night and day we pray on and on for you, asking God to let us see you again, to fill up any little cracks there may yet be in your faith."

3:12  "And may the Lord make your love to grow and overflow to each other and to everyone else, just as our love does toward you. This will result in your hearts being made strong, sinless, and holy by God our Father, so that you may stand before Him guiltless on that day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns with all those who belong to Him."

God heals and speaks through His Word!

week in review

This week was the annual achievement testing at CIAS. Last week, I had had Sendi and Aly check and double check the cumulative file records and make sure of last year’s test levels so that we would not have any oopsies this year. Last Sunday afternoon, Tricia and I went over to pack everything up and make sure that the pencils were sharpened, timers were boxed, and signs were printed.

We watched the first installment of PBS Masterpiece’s newest "Great Expectations" and really enjoyed the diversion. After that, I went to bed a little early, in anticipation of the exhausting week.  

Woke up on Monday morning early. Bro. Mike was there to help direct the table and chair set up.
Bless his heart.
He has always been such a blessing to us and the school. He is a true Christian, a man of character in word AND deed. We set up the tests, splitting the high school students into two testing rooms, one for me to proctor and the other for Tricia and Michael Carty. Mama and Dr. Bouvin proctored the 3^rd-8^th tests. Then, about halfway through the second testing session, I began to feel AWFUL. Just all of a sudden, I began to shake with chills and ache all over with slight nausea. I felt so bad, and since I very seldom sick, it hit me really hard.

I soldiered through the tests that morning, went immediately home to bed, and slept the rest of the day, even missing class and my diversity lesson plan presentation. I was able to submit the short-answer essay that I had forgotten to do over the weekend and shoot Mrs. LiCause off an e-mail explaining my absence. She emailed right back and said that I can present this week, so no problem. Yay! But I did miss completing 2.5 hours of observations that I have to get done this month. Then I got a splitting headache, ate a banana and crackers that night and began to feel slightly better. I felt so weak the next morning so Dr. Bouvin and Michael proctored my room for the Tues and Wed test sessions while I stayed home and slept. I showed up on Wed to help direct the “tear-down” effort and take pics of all the kids, but I accidentally left my camera memory card at home, so that was pffttt! 

I did get to complete 5 hours of observations on Tues & Thur evenings at Collegiate High. I am sitting in on Jerry Cox’s Algebra 2 class where the teacher teaches very little and the students learn even less. It is a high school class, so no problem kids or probationers, etc. It is eye-opening, to say the least. These kids’ lives are just falling apart; it’s so sad. I have 7.5 hours completed, out of a total 15 required. 

On Wed, I went to Nutrition lab class. It was about enzymes and the breaking down of food, all pretty interesting. Since I had been sick, I for once was a little “hands-off” so my team got to blast away while I held back and observed. We take weekly quizzes in that class, and I LOVE my lab mates: Lisa (awesome girl, married, 2 kids, born again), Linda (teacher, Christian, older lady) and Billy (former Navy Seal, stutters, wants to be a ROTC teacher).

Afterwards was our scheduled dinner introducing our family and the Osteen parents. This a part of our family's life that we don't talk about very much: my brother Daniel and his role in our family. I had met Mr. O before, but it was our first introduction to Mrs. Corrie Lynn and Juliana have not yet learned to stay in their seats in a restaurant, so it’s always a misadventure to entertain and cajole them while other aunts eat in shifts. Daniel hadn’t been over or seen the girls since Christmas, so they didn’t know him and were a little frightened of him. It was also so late (after church for Brian and Cori, after class for Tricia and I), and I was more than exhausted. Bleh! 

The evening went as well as it could have, I guess. They seem to be very nice people. Even with as long as it’s been, I have still not come to grips with the fact that Daniel is divorced, let alone both of them dating and moving on. It is all so against the grain of the way we believe a Christian is supposed to live their life, in covenant with God and in the pursuit of holiness for eternity. I can’t wrap my head around it, no matter how hard I try. And I do try, in the spirit of God's agape, love him and his.

One of my former students was in my office with a younger sibling the other day, and made a comment about when Daniel does surrender to God’s call on his life, what a great testimony it will be. And unpremeditated, I replied, “No, I disagree. The greatest testimony of God’s saving power is of the person who has lived their whole life in relentless abandon to God, rejecting sin and temptation, and living wholeheartedly for the Lord. I would rather live a thousand of my life over again, than experience the regret and anguish over living half a life in sin and in the clutches of the devil. And the consequences for the decisions that he has made will haunt and dog him every day of the rest of his life. That is not the greatest testimony.”

Later, as I was retelling the incident to Mom, she commented on the fact that Daddy had regretted so much of what he had done as a young man before he was saved, so much so, that he never talked about it. And now that I think about it, I don't recall him telling stories from his unsaved days. Mom said he grieved over it. I began to think of Paul’s testimony recitation in Galatians 1, “But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen.” Such pain and sorrow our family has been through, a sort of refiner's fire, with regards to our boy. I just want him to be saved, in the radical, life-changing way that the rest of us have! I have prayed so long, but I am not giving up. Never!

Well, the rest of the week went a little better. I felt better, so that helped! Thursday and Friday, I proctored the untimed students at the school from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm. Saturday was our only Saturday off from a wedding cake at the bakery, so I slept late, then took a little swimming dip with the babies in the pool, went to Johnson beach with “The Sarahs”- my sissy and Sarah Stevens White. The sun was warm, and we soaked it up for a long while. I enjoyed sun bathing on a sheet for the first time, instead of sitting in a chair; definitely going to do that again! But the wind was too brisk, so after several hours and millions of chill bumps, I was good-to-go! Dropped by Diamond Nails and got pedis and manis before heading home with Happy China takeout. I went with a bold n’ bright pinkish coral for both hands and feet, with their signature design on my big toes.

We watched “The Passion of the Christ” on TBN last night right before bed.  If anyone asks me what my favorite movie is, I say that one. I can only watch it once in a long while; it gets me so emotional about what Jesus did for me.  It is a life-changing experience just to see His agony and sacrifice. Words do not render it justice.

Up early this Easter morning to go shopping for dinner ingredients and Easter egg hunt supplies. Got incredibly cute white Easter baskets and fillings for the girlies’ eggs:
yogurt-covered raisins
pistachios
m&m peanuts
Brack’s jelly beans
Interesting, huh? Also got some candy for us big kids. ;-) I got busy prepping dinner while Tricia fried up some bacon and baked strawberry cheesecake muffins for breakfast. Mom  helped by stuffing the girls’ eggs while I cooked.

The Jones family Easter dinner menu: honey glazed spiral cut ham, sweet potato casserole, turnip greens, yeast rolls (our old from-scratch recipe), sweet tea, and yummy spiced peach cobbler with ice cream.
Cori and the girls and Sarah even joined us. The girls’ enthusiasm to find the eggs that I scattered all over the yard was slow to start but it picked up momentum. They just wanted to open the eggs and eat the contents!

I missed Daddy; our family is not the same since he is gone to heaven!

I am thinking that I may need a spiritual sabbatical, a time to retreat from social activities and evening interaction to spend extended time with the Lord. Since I can’t just check out of the reality of my life and responsibilities, I am thinking of doing it over the course of the next several weeks. I need a healthy dose of agape, because my “love tank” has gotten pretty stripped out. I have already taken to only listening to spiritually edifying music. Been especially enjoying Kari Jobe this spring.

“How He Loves” by John Mark McMillan:

He is jealous for me,
Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden,
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I Realize just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.

Pre-Chorus:
And oh, how He loves us so,
Oh how He loves us,
How He loves us all

Chorus:
Yeah, He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves.
Yeah, He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves.

Verse 2:
We are His portion and He is our prize,
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes,
If grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking.
So Heaven meets earth like a sloppy, wet kiss,
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest,
I don’t have time to maintain these regrets,
When I think about, the way…

Verse 3:
Well, I thought about You the day Steven died,
And You met me between my breaking.
I know that I still love You, God, despite the agony.
Cause people...they want to tell me You're cruel,
But if Stephen could sing, he'd say it's not true, cause...

tea parties and friendship

I enjoyed Lanier's blog post today Trusted and True about springtime tea and the spiritual support of trustworthy, faithful, Godly friends. It reminded of a day and time when I was an rabid romantic and relished throwing extravagant tea parties for my students and their moms. It seems so long ago now. And I have so many sweet memories. I do hope I created some as well. :-)

My favorite china pattern, Royal Albert's Lady Carlyle

Her article makes me want to host a cozy tea party for my birthday in September, like I used to when life was simpler, and I did not work so incessantly! Now that I have adorable nieces, it will be so much more fun. I can also identify with her value of friendships. Even though I do not have many, I treasure my sisters and loved ones more and more as the years pass, especially since some are now gone away to Glory!

I love to love!

Yesterday, while out with Mom doing my monthly grocery shopping, I founds some really great things to celebrate Valentine's for my family. In recent years I have been doing the card and candy ritual, but wanted something better this year for some reason. I went with Mom to Michael's (she was picking up some tempura paint to do crafting with Corrie Lynn), and I found a whole rack of delightful things...mostly on sale!

Yippee!!!
Such cute little bric-à-brac. Sweet nothings really, but I loved them, and I know the girls will love them too. :-D  Then I wandered around and found a raspberry colored basket to hold eggs and a "Happy Easter" sign to sit on my desk at school.

Later at Walmart, I found some red heart tinsel garlands on the cheap at to add to the festive decor. Now I need to look back in my storage room to see if I can locate my red heart wreaths of the front doors...

thanksliving

33. warm socks for cold evenings

34. the romantic simplicity of watching my old "Anne of Avonlea" vhs

35. Tricia's made-from-scratch deliciously warm and comforting chocolate pudding this evening

36. sleeping in this morning

37. a successful grocery and Thanksgiving dinner shopping excursion (all I need now is the turkey and some fresh greens!)

38. a pretty plum & gray printed top at Target yesterday

39. a 20 oz. Shakespeare from The Drowsy Poet. soooo hot and yummy!

39. cute little orange pumpkins on our table- Corrie Lynn's very own "punkin patch"

40. the cutest hearty little laughs from Julieana as she tossed Meg's colorball today

Psalm 30:12

"That my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever."

togetherness

I am moved recently to think about family. My family in particular. People who have been taken away from it. People added to it. I have often thought of my parents, both only children, bringing up the five of us in a world that was largely unfriendly towards us in general. A few people touched our lives indelibly. Those few are precious to us still. And the old-fashioned, old-world togetherness that we have fiercely protected and promised one another never to break.

Back when I was studying sociology in college, I came across information on predominantly Oriental  communal cultures that are interdependent and inter-related in such a way that almost seems like threads in woven tapestry, together strong and beautiful. And then the typical American culture that breeds on individualism and independence, seeking fulfillment without regards to family ties. As we three younger girls work hard to support our mom in her waning years, keeping the "home fire burning," so to speak, I am reminded of so many verses in regards to Mom...Exodus 20:12, "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the LORD your God gives you." Heb 12:12 "Strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble" Prov. 16:31. "A gray head is a crown of glory; It is found in the way of righteousness," Lev. 19:32, "'You shall rise up before the grayheaded and honor the aged, and you shall revere your God; I am the LORD."And Jesus' stern warning in Mark 7, "For Moses said, 'HONOR YOUR FATHER AND YOUR MOTHER'; and, 'HE WHO SPEAKS EVIL OF FATHER OR MOTHER, IS TO BE PUT TO DEATH';   but you say, 'If a man says to his/her father or his/her mother, whatever I have that would help you is Corban (that is to say, given to God)' you  no longer permit him to do anything for his/her father or his/her mother;  thus  invalidating the word of God by your tradition  which you have handed down; and you do many things such as that."

I should write a book one day, entitled Memoir of a Dutiful Daughter. :-) But then again, being an earthly daughter does not define me...being a child of God does! And I need to be here for my sisters and brother, whether in prayer or financial help or emotional support. And for my nieces, those precious beings that will carry the spiritual torch.

I look at our precious nieces, and think, "They are the future of this family, the future Jones girls, future missionaries and teachers and preachers." I pray that they would come to know Jesus early in life. And be filled with the Holy Spirit to be powerful women of God, equipped for their Master's use. To be able to overcome life's hurts and wounds with grace. And always stay sweet and gentle. That their temperaments would be soft-hearted and kind. And that they would not be as lonely as we were.

Our family has always been "a city set on a hill that cannot be hid." Whether we liked it or not. There was not anywhere we could go, or anything we could do that did not get scrutinized by outsiders as we were growing up. We looked different, acted different, talked different, and were different. Even down to the jobs that we have, or that God has given to and anointed us for. And still yet, we continue on as different as ever.

Mom's Aunt Rene hosted us as little children, as we trekked up Signal Mountain every Sunday to visit her. Cinnamon Trident gum sticks, peach turnovers, and Nickelodeon are some of the memory relics from those days. She was saved late in life, so I don't remember her as a Christian as much as she was a benevolent old lady. Then came the day that Dad's company went under, and our house sold. Life was changing rapidly for our family nuclei.  Dad's Mom asked us to move to Pensacola and offered to let us live with her until we got on our feet. That would facilitate our permanent move to Florida. Aunt Rene did not understand; with her brother pushing her over the edge of snipping family ties, angry and confused. And for several years, we had no contact with her at all.

We lived with Grandma for nine months. It was not an easy time. Mamar was used to living on her own for many years as a "Merry Widow." Dad tried and tried and tried to find a job, but nothing opened for him. So some local Bible college student  jack-leg carpenters invited him to join them in trying to make a living for their families. We were living on between $15-17 thousand a year. When I think of that amount today, I laugh inside my head. What seven-member family can live on a little over $15 G's a year?!? But Mom and Dad made it work. We were poor, so very poor. Fifty dollar bills, pressed into my Dad's hand on a random Sunday morning helped to build our faith. Our land lady's boys leaving sacks of much-needed groceries on our porch. I remember being ten years old, spending my Saturdays with Dad and my sisters, mowing lawns off of Lillian Hwy. and Hwy 98 for $5 a week, which we saved fastidiously to pay for sturdy shoes or spend on stickers and pencils and wall posters from local bookstores. Recently, I was cleaning out a cabinet in my bathroom, and found an little old ceramic bear and basket full of plastic flowers, I think given to Tricia or me by our brother. And a mug from another sister. Cute reminders of those meager days.

We found an oasis in the Lillian homegroup, hosted in Richard and Nita Parker's house. It was a croup of senior citizens that made us feel at home. There was one other family with a girl our age that we got to know,  and several teen boys that we really didn't get to know too much. Again, we were growing up in a sea of people different from us.

And days became better. We were able, after two long years, to move from Lillian, Alabama, back over the bridge to Pensacola. Aunt Rene's brother had died, managing to steal and pilfer and cheat her out of some of her life savings. But she needed someone to take care of her. And he anger had passed, and she wanted us again. So Mom found the biggest house that she could find for us, to prevent Aunt Rene from being bothered by us kids, and to let us have our own space. How we loved that house on Man O' War Circle. We younger kids healed from a lot there. And experienced a lot there. I turned 13 in that house, with the best birthday party a girl could ask for.

This is just the beginning...

inspired

Uncle Greg was in the hospital last week with a heart attack. We packed into Cori's car and visited with him and Aunt Rosie during the late afternoon. It was good to spend time with them, and we got to see Annie & her Baylen for a quick hi. Greg did not look good, and he slept most of the time we were there. Rose bounced Juliana on her leg as Corrie Lynn hopped in circles around the floor rug. Such delightful and sweet babies! As Mom and Aunt Rosie's white heads were bent over cups of hot tea while they sat indulging in "old lady talk," I was reminded that they are both getting old and felt a strange uncanny urgency. We must treasure the fleeting time that we have left with them! And I am so thankful for the "goodly heritage" that they have left for us younger torch-bearers.

Aunt Rosie is such an inspiration. Mom said, after we got home, that she has always been inspirational even to her, her best friend. Rose is such a classy lady, a true southern hostess, homemaker, and cook-on-the-fly. And her patio garden! I was soothing Juliana into a nap on their patio/veranda close to the evening. The cool breezes were blowing from the north end of the county, and it was so refreshing! She slept on my lap for almost an hour, and I got to just sit on the swing and think. And Tricia and I went right home and bought ourselves some pots, Miracle Grow potting soil, and a small collection of herbs, flowers, and bell pepper and tomato plants! It was actually a lot of work, but FUN hard work. :-)

So I came away inspired in several areas of life. I don't experience these moments too often, so I'll ponder this one for awhile yet.

Aunt Rosie & Cori (her god-daughter) on Christmas Eve 2010

Spring has come

Spring came early for us this year. The weather warmed up, the daffodils and paperwhites bloomed in February, and we were swimming in the pool by the first of April. Cardinal parents set up nest outside our front door, and the wisteria’s fragrance was heady.

The beaches are beautiful and warm (and once again white, after last year’s disaster). I enjoy hearing my my 2-year-old niece squeal to see the wide open sand and water. “Yay! It’s pwetty, Aubee!” Corrie Lynn loves to “swim” in the sand, make sand-angels, and splash in the bubbly waves as they lap onshore.It is heart-warming to see her fresh delight! As we lather on our Burt's Bees sunscreen, we are thanking the Lord for letting us enjoy His creative world!

Aside from the fact that I am busier than ever at this time of year, I just LOVE spring!

As every graduating class grows in number as the years go by, so does my load of work in preparing their transcripts and processing Bright Future applications. This spring I have also attended an administrator's workshop by our accrediting board and taken our kids to the local Homeschool Prom (and hosted an after-party!). The first was informational. The second, downright a blast! It's strange that graduation for this class is only a month off now!

We also celebrate the 2nd birthday of the child that made us aunties...Corrie Lynn turns two, to the tune of a "Bob" party coming up this Friday. She is such a doll...and a devotee of Bob, Larry, and friends! She loves to read, draw, sing, dance, swim, and is quite on the go at all times. We just took the girls to Penny's for their portraits;they were just adorable! Juliana Mae is 5 months old now, it's hard to believe. And sooo different from CL, in everything from looks to temperament. I "put on the ritz" on Easter Sunday; all the family was here and a fun time was had by all. Being the Easter Bunny has its advantages! :-P

This week is Spring Break at CIAS...and lucky me, I am studying for college finals. :-) Oh, joy! At least I can sleep in and attempt to rid myself of the dark circles that threaten to take over my face! And I have a LIST of things I want to get done around the house. That I will do. So help me. And I get to COOK, which I LOVE (and miss during the school year!). And create my spring/summer budget.

This time of year will fly by quickly. I don't get to blog like I'm accustomed to anymore. Soon it will be summer, and school will be out, and I will be wrapping up a successful school year and planning a new one. And tutoring my bro through college algebra. And taking my nieces to the beach and to the seashell shop. :-) And going for sushi with Mom. And reading a few good books. God is good!

at home

Jane Austen wrote in her Emma, "Ah! there is nothing like staying at home for real comfort."

Well, I heartily agree. These three weeks at home, away from the bustle of teaching school and studying for college, has been such a blessed respite. We are enjoying our new 42". All the holiday Hallmark and Christmas movies have been cool. Our home was so lovely for the holidays, and now I am taking it all down, putting away, and hauling tubs back to the shed where they will store for the next eleven months. I am sooo so blue about the holidays drawing to a close! I enjoyed every minute and moment. The poinsettias are still gorgeous and brighten the house. I am reminded...

Here we come a-wassailing among the leaves so green!
And here we come a-wand’ring so fair to be seen!
Love and joy come to you and to you your wassail too,
And God bless you and send you a happy new year!
And God send you a happy new year!

 I am trying out a new arrangement of our family photos on the wall-to-wall book shelves in the den. Now I am looking for pink candles to accent my Valentine's decorations (pink dining linens, two small pink fiber optic trees for the buffet, heart ornaments, etc.). Not a clue where I can find them...

Daniel has really been working diligently on the south-end remodel. The new double-size bathroom has insulation and drywall up, so it is beginning to look like it should. We made a decision to remove the wall & closets that were separating the old laundry hall from the new laundry room, so now it is one very nice and large laundry/utility room. Once we get the floor tiled, I will move in the two tall oak shelves from my bedroom (redo coming in there this year!) for folded towels and blankets, as well as the white table from the back porch for folding and laundry basket storage. I am so excited!!!

BTW, a little trivia...January 6th was 12th Night, made famous by Shakespeare's wonderful play (and a very funny movie!), and the following day was Epiphany, historically memorializing the arrival of the wise men to greet baby Jesus.

Out with the OLD...

In the in-between time...

Thankfulness- DSIL

Rachel & Mom at her 30th birthday girls' night out in Feb.

I am thankful for my dear ex-sister-in-law, Rachel.
She is such a precious girl who has overcome a lot in her life and will continue to do so with the help of her Lord and Savior. She is a elementary school teacher, and loves her work as much as I do mine. She was a treasure to our family, and I am grateful that God brought her into our lives. I miss her sweet thoughtfulness. I pray that she will find Jesus to be the Great Lover of her soul that I have found Him to be. HE is our Great Healer and the only Soul-Satisfier!

Keeping Up with the Joneses

This week, the Young Ladies Christian Fellowship webzine/blog is hosting a blog carnival. I participated last year and am eager to do so again this year. Great fun! The theme this year is weekly schedules and to-do lists.

I have a pretty steady schedule from week to week, so this is easy for me to look at my calendar and reveal...Keeping Up with the Joneses (for a week, that is).

Monday

Meg HATES having her pic taken!

It's 7 am. I am up before everyone else, as usual. I hurry through the early morning, chugging a cup of coffee. I gather my evening class books together, feed Meg our Welsh corgi and let her out, and finish my own quick breakfast and supplement consumption (i.e. Juice Plus, BarleyMax, enzymes, Epicore). I walk across the street to work. I am the principal and main teacher at CIAS, an umbrella school for homeschooled students. Students are sleepily waiting for their school day to begin. I start tutoring at 8 and break at 12 for lunch break. Lunch break for me included returning a phone call to one of my student's parent about a college dual enrollment schedule, checking my appointment schedule for the week, making copies of tests for afternoon students, and chatting with one of my secretaries. Back to tutoring from 1-5; that makes eight hours of teaching and supervising 15 students. I rush off to my college class, leaving my sister (and fellow teacher) Sarah to lock up. I am taking a class about exceptional learners, and have an early meeting with my study group about our project presentation on Autism next Monday. I sit through an interesting presentation on deafness, a short lecture, and a book report presentation. I am sooo tired. Driving home, I call Mom and let her know I'm on my way across town. My sister Tricia has dinner ready. Mom spends the evening reading, Tricia is studying, and I am grading my students' compositions.

Tuesday

I have a typical morning once again. Missed my coffee this morning though. :-( Several students get dropped off early at my house, so we walked to school together. I teach all morning; Tricia joins me at 10. I spend my lunch break printing my handouts and quiz papers for my afternoon writing classes. Thirty-five students are divided almost evenly into two classes. The afternoon speeds by, filled with sentence dress-ups, editing exercises, and students' oral essay presentations. I have off early this evening, so I come home and make dinner of pork sirloin and southern-style cabbage. I also try a new baked mac and 3-cheese recipe that turns out DELICIOUS! Yay! Tricia is across town at the university for an evening class. I am so proud of her, working full-time and nearing the end of a very hard-won accounting degree! We watch NCIS and NCIA-LA, two of our favorite shows. The evening is spent studying. Again.

Wednesday

Teaching all day. Have several wonderful "discipleship moments" with my students. I LOVE when they ask questions about life and the Lord!!! When I can open the Word of Life and show them that God has something to say about EVERYTHING in life, drawing a connection for them to the God of the universe. :-D I have an new student/parent interview from 5-6:30. It goes very well, and we have a new student enrollment..another middle school boy!!! I make another appointment with them for academic placement testing. I spend a half hour working on a senior's transcript for their college application and prepping for Thursday evening senior workshop. Tricia cooks dinner again; I LOVE taco salad! My sista-bestie is the bomb! :-D I eat slowly tonight. I am so sleepy, so I hit the sack early tonight.

Thursday

I am so tired today. I can hardly muster myself out of bed this morning. Ugh. A full day of teaching, the last one for the week. I teach and supervise 15 students today, and get a little break before the seniors arrive for their one-hour meeting/workshop on college applications, record keeping, and fund raising. We have a good turn out, and it goes smoothly. I am home by 7:30. Meg is rabid for attention and wants to play (i.e me throwing her toy so she can chase and retrieve)! My arm hurts after several solid hours. :-P

Friday 

CL chasing Aunt Tricia round and round. :-)

I sleep late, praise the Lord. 9 am...wake up refreshed. I needed the extra two hours of sleep. I am administering six achievement tests this morning, and also have two appointments (one new interview and one lesson planning meeting). Sendi, my Records Clerk, and I go over phone call messages before I leave at 2. A family tradition...the Jones family attempts to meet for lunch on Fridays each week. Cori is "great with child" and is getting more and more uncomfortable, so I take lunch makings to her house: Thai coconut soup, chock full of red bell peppers, baby bella mushrooms, tofu, and chicken. Everyone converges to enjoy my first culinary attempt at one of my fav Thai dishes and give me a vote of confidence. Yes! Another great new recipe. :-) We spend some quality time with Corrie Lynn, my precious niece. She is a precocious 18 month old now, and is babbling and talking and eagerly sits still for book time. She loves for us to chase her around the living room, crying, "I'm gonna get you!" If we try to stop, she starts running the circle and yelling, "Gon get chu." She's wearing us out! So much energy; I am too old for this!!! Cori is so uncomfortable now; she is three weeks away from her due date in November; little Juliana Mae is wearing her mama out! We are eager to meet her and anticipate being new aunties to another precious soul. We have a quiet evening at home. I spend several hours reading textbooks and doing homework for my two college classes. We watch several recorded shows from the week's lineup (Tricia records them each evening, and we watch them towards the weekend). I call it a early night, and read for several hours. YLCF's Gretchen has recommended some books that I ordered last week, so I get started on The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Looks good so far!

Saturday

I am up early and down to my family's Bread of Life Bake Shop for a day of wedding I anniversary cakes. We have a pick-up cake, as well as a delivery at the NAS officer's club today. The cakes turn out wonderfully (and beautifully!), and I head home around four for an hour's nap. I brought home some cinamon rolls from the bakery freezer, so I bake them and prep mulled cider. The house smells SO GOOD!!!!! We three grab our camp chairs and drive over to Dusty and Marisa's home for a pitfire and game night with old friends. What great fun! :-D Thanks, ya'll!

Sunday

The Lord's day at our house, and our Sabbath. Oh, how we look forward all week to our day of rest and prolonged fellowship with Jesus!!! I savor every minute as it ticks by, as it does all too quickly. Sleep in late. Then I watch one of my favorite pastor's sermon podcast online (Richard Crisco); good stuff. I read the Word for an hour (the Psalms and Romans today) and turn my new-er Kari Jobe CD on in the kitchen stereo. I decide to make omelets and biscuits for brunch, then I dedicate the next several hours to studying. I have an Power Point on Autism to finish for my study group's presentation on Monday evening, so I spend several hours perfecting the last of it. We have spent so much time on this project. I know that we will get a good grade, because it is fabulous! I check my e-mails, log onto MarryWell to check to see if I have any messages, and blog for awhile. Every fall, I get into a Jane Austen movie mood, so I go online and watch the new "Northanger Abbey." I <3 it! I get to bed late...not a good start to the new week, but it's my life. I'm a Jones.

big little blessings

Cori had a doc visit yesterday, Juliana is 7 1/2 pounds and will gain another 1/2 pound every week until her birth, so that should put her around 9 pounds at birth in 3 weeks. She is healthy and doing well. Have mercy and bless them, Jesus. We depend on you, Lord, to keep both Cori and JM safe and sound.

A childhood song has been running in my head all day today, based on Isaiah 40:1. "He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young." 

rain and baby showers

So yesterday was Cori's (and Juliana Mae's!!!) baby shower. The ladies at Warrington Worship Center prepared a delicious spread, I took goodies from the bakery, and Sarah made an adorable pink and purple giraffe cake and chocolate iced cupcakes. The punch was a ginger ale & lime sherbet concoction...yum!

There were quite a few ladies and children there (I forgot to get a head count). I know it blessed Cori to have everyone come. Not only were the church ladies there, but Cori's violin students and their mamas, and some of our family friends as well.

I got there a little before 1 pm and set up my bakery sweets. I saw that we needed some more decorations, so I had Tricia prep pink and purple balloons to attach to the chairs all around the room. Then back to the house to get dressed and to Walmart for flowers and cards. I was 10 minutes late so I missed the three games, but I arrived before everyone else in the fam. We are a mess! :-P

I had the responsibilities of cutting the cake and recording the gifts. JM got some really practical things (i.e. diapers, wipies, a wipie warmer, diaper pail, a giant frog bathtub toy scoop from Alice S, an essential oils compendium from Debra W, a safety gate from MaeMae, a bouncer from Nanny, sleepers, a stereo from Aunt Tricia, an "A-B-C Song" playing giraffe from me, onesies, socks, caps, bibs, sleeper sets), as well as cute and fun stuff too (crocheted baby blanket, receiving blankets, 1st Christmas bear, and Madame Alexander "My First Huggums" babydoll). And these are only the ones that I remember, so there were more. The WWC ladies helped us load the gifts into the van, and Sarah and I unpacked and sorted all the gifts, since Cori is so far along now that everything is difficult for her to do. Juliana now has a trunk full of natural diapers and wipies!!! :-D

On Friday afternoon, I hosted the CIAS Operation Christmas Child packing party. We had 12 or so kids to come, and we packed 9 boxes! I have always wanted to participate in OCC, but never had the chance to, so, I had a joyful time shopping at Walmart & $ Tree for boy and girl stuff for my boxes! :-)

And today I am working on organizing my team's research and inserting it all into the Autism power point that I have done for our presentation. I also have to grade students' papers from my writing classes. And it's raining (acorns and real rain!). :-)

end draws near-errrrr

My favorite month is soon at an end. Ahhhh, September! In two weeks we have fall break at school. I am hoping to finish editing the Handbooks to have ready when we come back. I also need to tweak the October school billing.

I have this Saturday off from "cakeland," so I plan to make the best of it and get some R-E-S-T. I need a pedicure, so plans are to kidnap Cori for the afternoon. CL has been fractious this week, Sarah is super-stressed, and Tricia and I have been study-oholics. Test and more tests.

I am hosting the first senior meeting for the CIAS Class of 2011 tomorrow evening...that one always scares me...not sure why. A lot of expectant seniors and their parents will be there.

I cooked dinner several times this week. On Sunday I made a DELICIOUS bacon and cheese quiche (I think from one of my bakery research recipes). Last night I made peppered steak (onions, red & green bell peppers, strips of tender sirloin steak, a beef stew seasoning packet) over rice. It was so yummy. :-)

Work at CIAS have been especially busy. Interviews have slowed down, but teaching, tutoring, and supervising is UP. Today was nice, since a student or two was missing, so I had breaks to get busy work done. I also need to start on the rash of senior transcripts, a task that I have been putting off. I have done a few but not the majority by far. I did get to spend some time last night working on the updating the Class of 2010 grad info webpage (i.e. accomplishments, college plans, etc.).

September daze

September is my favorite month of the year. I wait all year for it to come around again. I blink, and then it is gone.

I was born in September.

The weather is starting to cool off just a bit. Not enough to go camping, but enough to notice and appreciate it!

Autumn commences...my favorite season. Also some of my favorite tv shows start their seasons.

I always get bit by a "reading bug" in September!  I have Cindy Woodsmall's new book The Bridge of Peace  ready to go, and Mom has just gotten Beverly Lewis' The Thorn and devoured it.

And this year, I can add the "period movie bug" to the list! :-P  I watched "Bertie & Elizabeth on youtube last night. It is the story of King George VI (Albert)  & his queen Elizabeth (the current Elizabeth's parents). Fabulous story. I wonder if all the parts about Edward VIII (David) and his twice-divorced wife Wallis Simpson were accurate.

We began a remodeling project in the house in September...combining the back-to-back half and full bathrooms into one large bathroom with a walk-in shower for wheelchair use (one day we'll need it for Tricia and maybe Mom). Consequently, I have lost my shower for the next several months, and Daniel has moved the laundry room from the hallway into Sarah's old bedroom. Daniel is doing all the dirty work. I was in on the planning, buying, and budgeting parts with Mom and Trish. It will be so nice when it is done, which realistically, will be December.

I started cleaning out closets this month too. Old linens, clothes I don't wear, etc. It is nice to be able to walk into closets again. And store things we really use and need, instead of accumulated belongings that we have had who-knows-how-long. :-)

My 35th in NOLA

After planning (and saving for) a trip to New Orleans for years ( thanks to many friends and students who gave me travel tips!), I finally pulled it off for my birthday last weekend. We all had a blast...Tricia, Sarah, Mom and I spent Friday evening and all day Saturday there. We had a safe journey, thank the Lord. Arrived and checked in at the Place D'Armes Hotel on St. Ann's Street. Charming old place. We didn't get the room that I would have liked (leave it to me to leave THAT detail to the last minute.), but it was fine nonetheless.

The two arches were the windows to our room, right on St. Ann's.

The entrance to the courtyard~pool area

It had been a boys' school! :-)

I had made reservations for House of Blues for dinner, but as we walked up the dank alleyway, I didn't feel too good about it and was weirded out out about it. We walked back to Jackson Square and made reservations at Muriel's (our bellhop had recommended it). Then we had an hour's wait, so we took a carriage ride complete with historical narration from a cool old native who gave us 15 extra minutes to enjoy ourselves.

Our accommodating host and Baby Girl

Smile...It's your birthday!

My birthday dinner at Muriel's was DELICIOUS!!! I had a most perfect (melt-in-your-mouth) filet mignon, creme brulee, and pomegranate tea. The ambiance was delightful and the company fabulous, of course! We walked back down to the hotel; it was 11 or so by then. Showered. Sleep came in spurts for me; don't know why.

Woke up late and checked out by 11. Walked down to Cafe Du Monde for beignets and cafe au lait. We got a great table that could accommodate our rollator (Mom) and wheelchair (Trish). Enjoyed that immensely!

Yum, YUM!

We had several hours to kill, so we went shopping in the French Market. We got some gifts for our nieces and trekked down the strip for souvenirs and such. I got a pair of sunglasses, a tshirt & several magnets (for my "road trip" collections), a fleur-de-lis ornament, an adorable miniature english springer for my curio cabinet (to remember Hershey), and some rings and a brown brooch (something I have been looking for for awhile!).

Joan of Arc

Then we walked down to the loading dock for the Steamboat Natchez. That was a fun 2 hours! We all sat on the west-side deck, enjoying our lunch while listening to the captain's narration of the tour of New Orleans' harbor and history. After 3:15, I ducked inside to enjoy the jazz music and the AC!!!

 

Domino's Sugar Mill. 2nd largest in the world

 
 
  
  


We were exhausted by then. Went back to the hotel to retrieve the truck and headed back home. Sarah provided us with a few laughs with her CRAZY driving on the way back...hurtling down that exit to find the invisible Arby's was scarily great! :-P

We 3 at Jackson Square Park

It was a quick 24 hours but very memorable for my 35th. I do wish that Cori, Rachel & even Heidi had been able to come as I had originally planned. There was so much else to do in NO, so I must plan another trip to tour the St. Louis Cathedral, the Old Ursuline Convent, and the Old River Road Plantations tour. And Mom has scouted out the Bienville House Hotel for our next stay. :-)