Wow - we did Boston today!

Freedom Trail

Fanuel Hall

Lunch at

More Freedom Trail

Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride (taxi in Boston)

Staying the night in Lexington!

The convention was GREAT! I ended up sicker than a dog Friday night – vomiting out of control for HOURS, food poisoning is my guess. Kept thinking of Carol being sick on vacation and she survived! 

Woke up Sat and said – I am going, feel like death warmed over (and Dave even said I looked bad – he NEVER says that!). I did not drive 800 miles to stay in a hotel room or quit. We created plan A (lay in car if dying) or plan B (Dave bring me back to the hotel). So we stopped and got Pepto, 7-UP and we went. It was a bit rough, and I was worn – but it was a GREAT day. There were a couple of people that came, and I just knew that I was there to talk to them, sick or not, and that I had done the right thing to drag out of bed and to the convention center. God is so good to honor obedience! Stomach began to mightily roll when I got out of the convention – literally thought I was going to barf. Stooping down to grab my 7-up – as waves as nausea roared over me, it gave me a chance to have a conversation with a couple (he was cussing out the homeschoolers – full of tats – and expletives because they were staring at the woman covered, and I thought he was talking to me. He just made me mad so I said something – I am NOT STARING at you thinking you’re a freak – I am ready to barf and getting  my 7-up. He was so rough, but hey – in New England – you say what you what you want to say and get by with it! Mr tattoo I just got out of jail apologized ….which led to being able to witness to a newly converted Muslim woman that had once been a Baptist, while Dave and Emily loaded up the car. He had ridden off on his bike, so we had a nice chat. Providential appointment, don’t know her name, but please, pray for her, please. 

We will miss all of GIC. I am half tempted to just go home – I am worn out and catch the last day of stuff – but that won’t work. We are praying that hearts are changed. 

Adventures in Boston commence in a few minutes! We are exhausted beyond belief – but hope to energize once we get on the road again!

The weather was glorious Th/Fri/Sat and is now rainy – now that we are out of the convention! LOL! But we will see what we can and just be thankful for the marvelous opportunity!

So that is our FYI!

Trip to MassHOPE Day One (note sent to my boss!) From TN to PA!

We were having the world’s most perfect traveling day. Had breakfast with our sweet friends at MainStay Suites in Roanoke (an EXCELLENT HOTEL ) and on the road, driving through the glorious spring of the Blue Ridge – oh it was stunning! We stopped in Harrisonburg to eat and plot our Chipotles/Trader Joes run and found out we are way OFF the mark on TJ’s boo hoo hoo, BUT Chipotles was 2 hours away. And the ONLY Chipotles today, or until Sunday. So we decided to take advantage of the fact we were in the Shenandoah Valley and could see a battlefield. New Market was close by. We went and it was beyond wonderful – too bad we only had 2 hours to spend. Phenomenal place! This is THE battle site for the Confederate Engineers (Dave’s first CW group) and they are coming to fight here in 2 weeks. Every year, they fly out from CA to portray the Engineers – so totally cool! This was a 5 year dream to see! THANK YOU!

Then, off shimmy on up the road. We had already done some Tennessee, crossed VA. We were headed up the top of the Shenandoah Valley – the Blue Ridge majestic in the distance, having the happy we just saw a battlefield time of our lives, and noticed a bunch of police zooming up I-81. We were sandwiched in between trucks and so we HELD UP THE POLICE, us a van behind us that was totally on our tail, and had to wait ½ a mile to a mile to get out of the trucks way – you know how narrow the 81 can be when trucks are all around. We were so concerned for whatever the accident was. Dave finally pulled between two trucks, leaving room for the van behind us to fall in, and instead, he zoomed past us TALKING ON HIS CELL PHONE – with a smarmy look on his face. The police were chasing HIM. We were in the  middle of a police chase. This all happened very fast – but at one point, the van swerved, heavy trucks all around and everyone just flying and police on all sides and just like LA – you keep going or get run over. So long story short – they chased him, he was swerving, they got him over, and we drove by in time to see him slammed on the floor getting arrested. Nice. Up the road about a mile, was an officer with the tacks, and at the WV line was another one with tacks – so they were out in force – but no way to warn the drivers AROUND the chase. Hunky dory – life in the city – and why did we leave?

We hit traffic – what is that???? We forgot.

God is soooo good though!

So, we carried on, crossed a tiny swath of W. Virg, then crossed the Potomac (oh happy day) over into Maryland, in the historic town of Hagerstown (which we had read umpteen books about with the girls) was Chipotles. We got messed up and cruised the old town, charming row houses – all beautifully restored and it was the ghetto – not the rich district. They must have tight historic standards – very cool. Then off to the brand new shopping mall with Chipotles. Anti biotic free, hormone free, deliciousness!  THANK YOU

Then back in the car. Saw a horrible wreck as we got back on, one the one side, the other side a mile up we saw another hideous flipped truck. Is it Friday the 13^th? What is going on? The Lord saying – “when you think of moving back to the city to make more $$, this is what it means.”

So – we happily rolled into PA (although we missed the sign) saw the signs to Gettysburg, Antietam, HERSHEY, and trudged another 150 miles up yonder road to make it to the hotel. We left at 6am – got here at almost 11. Granted we stopped for our friends in Roanoke  (and free breakfast) and did the CW battlefield – but we needed to walk after 5 or 6 hours of driving.

We really did quite well, considering and look forward to tomorrow. Dave is pretty frayed – keeping the car on the road between car chases and all.

We have noticed quite a change in accents. No one has blessed my heart all day, or said “God love her.” It is new ground.

I also blew it  – trying to figure out the cheapest hotel in PA (they were all pricey, or in the capital) and we have to reroute directions to Mass in the AM. Oh lucky day! but that is okay – this is the path the Lord apparently has for us!

So – I must say I am so thankful for a child that prays for SAFETY – we have certainly needed it so far!

Also –we realized, with the bigger ride, we brought Em’s cash register and we do NOT HAVE ELECTRICITY!. Duh!

We also left the cord to download my pix unto my laptop – argh – so I can only shoot 600 pix and already did 150 or so on the road – BUMMER. We will have to try and delete some, so we can do New England – boo hoo hoo!

Oh well.

I also finished my column on the road and wrote up most of the info on New Market Battlefield – so super productive, caught up on SOME of my email from the last week and responded to folks I needed to. All in all, super productive for being on the road!

Holler if we can fix the electricity.

Off to bed….praying there are NO bed bugs to top this adventureous day off!

We have five hour drive to MASS tomorrow, set up our convention etc. We hope to see Emily Dickinson’s home tomorrow first and it looks like Old Sturbridge village will have to wait.

Ever wondered where the “Marriage Retreat” for homeschooling parents is???

Real Life Marriage Weekend Conference – Journey Church in Gray TN - June 13-14, 2008

Every Successful Homeschool Marriage

Begins with a Strong

Foundation. How strong is the foundation that your homeschool is built on?

Let’s face it. Homeschooling is a huge commitment. Navigating the unique intricacies of balancing homeschooling and marriage can create tension and stress. It’s easy to focus on the job of homeschooling your children, and give your marriage the “leftovers”.

RLM: Homeschool Edition’s mission is to help restore balance and revitalize your marriage through a weekend filled with Christ-centered workshops, general sessions and personal time designed specifically for homeschooling parents.

We believe that God’s word still has the best advice
for restoring hope and rekindling the passion of the one-flesh relationship.

Real Life Marriage Weekend: Homeschool Edition is not your ordinary marriage retreat weekend. Why? Because no “ordinary” marriage workshop or retreat can possibly deal with the unique issues we face as homeschool parents. Come and see why this is one homeschool event you can’t afford to miss. Whether your marriage needs a little tune-up and refreshment, or whether your marriage is already at, or even past the breaking point, set aside these two special days and ask the Lord to meet you and your spouse at RLM: Homeschool Edition. The Lord is faithful!

At Real Life Marriage Weekend: Homeschool Edition, you will

Revitalize your vision and discover together the JOY of homeschooling...
Reconcile the difficulties of living on one income in a two-income world…
Realize how homeschooling can actually make your marriage stronger…
Rekindle romance and Rediscover the joy of sexual intimacy…
Reconnect with one another and learn how to make effective communication a priority…
Receive the tools and skills to create a true and living partnership with your spouse…
Route an exciting new course for your homeschool years and beyond.

Don’t just survive the homeschooling years … thrive! Join us for this Christ-centered, homeschooling marriage makeover.

Real Life Marriage?

Real life for real marriages. We all know the pressures and stresses that come with homeschooling our children. We have all had times when we’ve said “we can’t keep doing this.” Real Life Marriage Weekends are designed to give you that bit of encouragement and resources to keep going.

Steve and Jane Lambert and Jay and Heidi St. John bring years of homeschooling and ministry experience to encourage you and your spouse. We want every homeschool family to experience the joy and freedom that comes from following and learning from Christ as we walk with him.

The Real Life Marriage Weekend Conference has a location!!!

Real Life Marriage Conference - Gray TN - June 13-14, 2008

The Journey Church

102 Old Stage Road – Corner of North Roan/Old Stage Rd

1 ½ miles North of Boones Creek off 362 ½ miles South of Highway 75

For more information on the conference and to register - http://www.reallifemarriages.com/ We have had the pleasure of meeting the Lamberts and the St. Johns and they are going to BLESS YOU tremendously! We highly, highly recommend this and will be there with bells on!

Our own Susan Seaman is coordinating this event – for questions contact Susan Susan Seaman 423-967-6281. I am just doing PR….what else would I do?!

Praising the Lord Susan is in charge….

    “Stand with anybody that stands right, stand with him while he is right and part with him when he goes wrong.”

— Abraham Lincoln

Continuing on my experimentation with creating the world’s best green, frugal homemade laundry detergent that really works - I created a new recipe today! It is busy gel-ing and congealing downstairs. It is my goal to come up with half a dozen recipes, since we all have different water, washers and conditions, so they will work differently for everyone!

I can’t wait to launch The Prudent Wife and share all of these money saving recipes with YOU! We are working diligently at the site!

We know it, we feel it, and the media is finally talking about it. Read the whole article here. Some highlights below

U.S. food prices rose 4 percent in 2007, compared with an average 2.5 percent annual rise for the last 15 years, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. And the agency says 2008 could be worse, with a rise of as much as 4.5 percent.

Still, the higher U.S. prices seem eye-popping after years of low inflation. Eggs cost 25 percent more in February than they did a year ago, according to the USDA. Milk and other dairy products jumped 13 percent, chicken and other poultry nearly 7 percent.

U.S. households still spend a smaller chunk of their expenses for foods than in any other country — 7.2 percent in 2006, according to the USDA. By contrast, the figure was 22 percent in Poland and more than 40 percent in Egypt and Vietnam.

“Genius is only the power of making continuous efforts. The line between success and failure is so fine… so fine that we might be right on that line and not even know it. As the tide goes out so must it come in… and in life sometimes
when things seem darkest… they might really be on the rise. How many a man has thrown up his hands nd said “I quit”… at a time when, with a little more effort, just a little more patience… he would have achieved success. There is no defeat except in no longer trying. And there’s no real insurmountable obstacle except your own inherent weakness of purpose. The only defeat is from within.” (Jonathon’s Dad — Flylady’s trainer)

While pulling together our new Living History Sites website, and profiling one of our FAVORITE living history venues, Riley’s Farm in Oak Glen Ca, I ran across this delightful entry from Jim Riley - aka Patrick Henry and a host of other characters at Riley’s. He has a grasp of history that amazes me and a great way of looking at financial independence!

March 25, 7:25 AM

Dependence, Inter-dependence, Independence

Two-hundred-thirty-eight years ago tomorrow, the annual meeting of the town of Exeter, New Hampshire considered its response to the Boston, Massacre. For some time, the rest of the colonies had opted for a non-importation agreement as the best way to pressure England into rescinding its revenue acts. New Hampshire and Rhode Island were slow to act, but the death of Bostonians at the hands of British soldiers on March 5th of the same year spurred the New Hampshire men to action:

From the resolves (below), we read the words:

“..the duty on Tea furnishes so enormous a sum, towards a set of miscreants, who devour the fruits of our honest industry..”

“..this town will encourage the produce and manufacture of this country…”

“..we will discountenance the importation and consumption of unnecessary, superfluous foreign articles…”

In largely agrarian economies, where meeting houses were full of men whose hands were calloused and pitch-blackened by the felling of pine trees, the notion of court placemen (”miscreants”) siphoning off their industry was the sort of thing that set teeth to grinding. Even the quills of their scribes were dipped in poison.

But hadn’t yeomen farmers always bent their necks for the aristocracy? Weren’t the silks of the nobility and the sheer lawn-sleeves of the clergy always paid for by a farming, shepherding class that didn’t really have a choice in the matter?

Yes and no. The English were, and are, a peculiar lot–the sort of people who drag a king out to the plains of Runnymede on the occasion of Magna Carta and tell him, in effect, “so much and no further.” In America, were farmers were free-holders, the notion of creating a new entitled class of court-favored taxmen was particularly galling.

Even today, I cheer the hearty, small band of Englishmen who reject the notion their liberties should somehow be subsumed into that beast of modern globalism–the European Union. Why turn over “innocent until proven guilty” to a Napoleonic gutter jurisprudence that makes you prove your innocence to the state? Why abandon habeas corpus or taxation by representation, just because political expedience, or global interdependence, lobbies for it?

In a real sense, that was the raging principle behind the protests of the decade prior to Lexington and Concord, the willingness to go it alone, to rid ourselves of “superfluous” imports, to pursue thrift, economy, and economic independence. HBO’s John Adams made the New Englanders look like a band of riotous cut-throats. They weren’t afraid of a little Runnymede, to be certain, but their anger flowed from the principle that if we wanted to be economically independent, you can’t force a false covenant upon us. You can’t force us to buy your goods. You can’t force us to be pawns in your grand Mercantilist scheme.

Today, across the political spectrum, we talk of global interdependence as though it were a universal good, but … is it? Does anyone really believe the Walt Disney Small World nonsense that if we all held hands and sang pretty melodies, it would make the Hugo Chavez types sit down and use their napkins at the dinner table?

Is there any virtue in being dependent on freedom-hating, woman-beating 8th century Saudis for petroleum? Is there anything to celebrate in hosting slave-trading Mauritania at the United Nations? Is there any surpassing glory in trading with Chinese butchers who force abortion on their own people and who arrest anyone who preaches without a license? You want global interdependence with heathens and savages and bribe-taking, blood-loyal thugs? I’m sorry folks, but people like Jimmy Carter and Condi Rice are just too bright to know how stupid they really are: you can’t have inter-dependence with remorseless thugs.

The spirit of 76 (political independence) was made possible by the spirit of 1770 (economic independence). Isn’t it time we learned something from our New Hampshire ancestors? Save inter-dependence for the gentle souls who print solar living catalogues; freedom is the work of sturdy, straight-thinking New Hampshire yeomen.

Why you’re a big sucker

Behavioral economist Dan Ariely says he isn’t a logical consumer - and neither are you.

(Money Magazine) — Bet you think you spend money pretty sensibly. Well, Dan Ariely would bet you don’t. A noted behavioral economist with current posts at MIT and Duke, Ariely has been proving for years that consumers often spend more when they plan to spend less.