Finally, Big News

Guess what? Yes, we know it has been such a long time since we blogged, but we were waiting on some really big news to announce. And we finally have some...

EUGENE MADE A 4.0 FOR SPRING SEMESTER!!!!

It was unexpected but so relieving for Sweet P that we didn't ruin our kids in homeschool !!!! THREE CHEERS FOR EUGENE....HIP-HIP HOO-RAY, HIP-HIP HOO-RAY, HIP-HIP HOO-RAY!!! The Heavenly FATHER richly blesses those that live for him...

Week end and beginnings

Well, the weekend finally passed. For several days, the planning and preparation was intense for the "Winter Formal" to honor home school seniors Maggie Blevins, Cary Ann Swindal, Katie Leach, & Ryan Porter. Attendees were invited earlier and came from all over the Birmingham area, Jasper, Southeast Alabama, Northeast Mississippi and Memphis and Franklin, Tennessee.

It began Friday night as the attendees began arriving and changed into the formal attire required and headed to the ballroom (Forestdale Lions Den). One enterprising group even arrived in a limo. Special guests included pastors of attendees and a former governor of Alabama. The ballroom was decorated in an evergreen forest theme and white cloth covered tables with candles and flower arrangements. After a welcoming announcement and prayer, dinner was served to attendees seated by random selection to encourage introductions and conversation. The dinner menu was planned & prepared by the chief cook and bottle washer from the Hat Creek ranch and support and servers with family and friends of attendees. Dinner was served and began with a green salad with chef prepared dressing, pork tenderloin and sauce, creme garlic potatoes, spiced black-eyed peas, and croissants. The dessert of bread pudding and special sauce was served and as tables were cleared, the music came up and ballroom dancing commenced. Many of the attendees had attended classes and private instructions and as the dancing continued, those with desire but without experience were encouraged to partner with some one with experience and learn a few basic steps.

As dancing continued, the tables were pushed back and room was made for the Virginia Reel. Two lines formed with about 12 to 14 couples each and the caller made a brief description of the steps. Then the music began and the dance continued. As the midnight hour approached, the lines began racing through the steps to see which could finish first. It was all in fun and much frivolity was enjoyed. Some of the group began changing clothes and assisted in removing the "forest" as clean up had to be performed prior to leaving.

As the hall emptied, overnight guests were shuttled to the Hat Creek headquarters (females) and to the Pea patch (males). Brunch was served Saturday morning, social time ensued and a junk food picnic was enjoyed at a local park in the late afternoon. A movie viewing capped the evening and the remaining guests returned to their quarters. Sunday arrived with breakfasts and church attendance and the weekend festivities ended.

The core members of this group have been enjoyed before and the character of the group has been experienced in their respect for each other and ability to enjoy each other with different ages and backgrounds. It is a blessing and gives hope for the future to watch this group of young people.

Merry Christmas

At this time of year, we are always humbled to think on the reason we celebrate. Whether or not this is the actual time of our LORD's birth, it is good to remember HE did come forth in a human form to suffer and die for us so that we might live. The act of giving and exchanging gifts is an expression of HIS gift of life to us. May we never forget HIS sacrifice on the cross and that some day HE will come again to raise us up and take us home forever.

Let us also remember those that will not be with their own families during these holidays. The men and women in the armed forces that serve on that line that protects the home front. Whether or not the politicians direct a good campaign, the good and honorable service men and women take their places as their orders direct, some in harm's way, others in the background, but all at the mercy of the enemy across that line. May GOD provide a protective hedge about them and if HIS will provides, return them to their loved ones.

With many thanks to the ALMIGHTY for the many blessings we enjoy, continually seeking grace and mercy for our sins and shortcomings, we extend to all our family and friends wishes for a Merry Christmas and a happy holiday season!!

Ahhh! To be 17....

Today is Ralph, Dodger of Sheep's 17th bithday. Happy Birthday, son!

(and in a Darth Vader voice)...Your Destiny lies ahead...reach and strive for it but don't dwell on mistakes...for wisdom comes with the seeking...

Order Brings Peace

School has begun, and we have slowly increased our load until we are nearly up to full speed. As we follow our schedule, completing lessons, chores, meal preparation and extracurriculars, a sense of peace begins to come to me. Routines "are like the walls of a house--they give stability to your program." It seems more things are accomplished with less effort and there is not that continual nagging feeling that you've left something undone that should have been done.
Summer is wonderful, but I agree with Big P that its almost complete lack of order in our home leaves something to be desired. Perhaps we can find a happy medium next summer so that there's more of that feeling of peace during the wild and wonderful summer! My mission, should I choose to accept it, is to read through Sanity in Summertime sometime in February and make a rough plan for our valuable time next summer.
I have a friend who is most always calm and she teaches her children in a seemingly carefree, unstructured method. Much to my surprise, I found out that her secret was in planning many details before her year began, freeing her to be spontaneous during the school year. God is a god of order and it is true: structure works--order brings peace.

CHANGES

Changes...this is the week for them. Savanna is away from home at college, albeit homesick, and the Pritchett Academy started back on Monday. The routine will be a nice change from the hectic summer, and once again, I think our household would be better off with a summer school program of maybe 3 1/2 days a week with necessary breaks for church trips,singing schools, vacations, holidays, swimming parties, etc.

Eugene is in residence at her dorm and it will take a little while to adjust. Classes actually start today, so her time will become more filled and the homesickness will wane. New classmates, homework, etc. in a new environment, suitemates to get used to will fill her time and then in 2 1/2 weeks, the football games start...

Ralph has a "work study program" as he works part-time at an electrical engineering firm as a CAD draftsman. His time is limited but his bank account is growing. He got a taste of 40 hour weeks during late July and early August and I believe I detect a little sympathy in his reactions about things that must be done after work and on weekends around a job.

Loquacia has found herself alone with Mom in the afternoons and has acquired a longer chore chart with Eugene gone. Her available time with the teacher has increased by a least a third and perhaps her and Ralph can adjust to just the two of them in class.

Sweet Pea seems to have found time to cook again and dinner has been in the works everyday this week when I got home from work. Her class load is cut by a third, but still has to maintain our home and classwork, scheduling field trips, doctor/dentist visits etc.

Changes...they come all the time but some are more noticeable than others. Some even knock you down when your not expecting it, while others take a little time and you hardly see them. But with faith, hope, and charity, we plug along, making adjustments and continuing in prayer for wisdom and guidance to face these changes.

Personal Responsibility

Recently, Type A and Sweet Pea attended Auburn Univ. for orientation known as Camp War Eagle. During their stay, a news story broke about a professor that had been involved with "independent studies" or " directed reading" classes that were set up for students in special situations. These classes were open to any qualified students and of course, several athletes were taking advantage. The course consisted of meeting with the professor and setting a curriculum which primarily consisted of selecting and reading a book and filing a report. Most universities have classes of this type that students may take advantage of for GPA enhancement or "easy" credit hours. At Auburn, the news story was slanted of course toward the few high profile athletes ( "Cadillac" Carnel Williams for one, now of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers) that took a class of this type for the many reasons any student may. Of the 250 students involved in these classes ( of a student body of 23,000 +) during the time frame of the article, 18 were football players and a few other male and female scholarship athletes but the vast majority were regular students. This professor has come under criticism for these classes from within his own department and currently the administration is investigating.

In 1943, another professor penned what has become known as the " Auburn Creed". Most students probably follow more closely to the ideals and principles of this creed than take advantage of "crip classes" and short cuts to get through school. If all citizens were to bear these words in mind, and take their own personal responsiblities seriously, true progress could be gained.

The Auburn Creed

I believe that this is a practical world and that I can count only on what I
earn. Therefore, I believe in work, hard work.

I believe in education, which gives me the knowledge to work wisely and
trains my mind and my hands skillfully.

I believe in honesty and truthfulness, without which I cannot win the respect
and confidence of my fellow men.

I believe in a sound mind, in a sound body and a spirit that is not afraid, and
in clean sports to develop these qualities.

I believe in obedience to law because it protects the rights of all.

I believe in the human touch, which cultivates sympathy with my fellow men and mutual helpfulness and brings happiness for all.

I believe in my country, because it is a land of freedom and because it is my
own home, and that I can best serve that country by "doing justly, loving
mercy, and walking humbly with my GOD."

And because Auburn men and women believe in these things, I believe in Auburn
and love it.

George Petrie, 1943

I have tried to follow these words, falling far short at times, but striving and will continue to strive to live by them.