I guess I need to start a new blog.
That is what I am thinking anyway.

Fresh start and all that.

So hang on for another "closing" and "re-opening".

Coming soon to a blog near you. :)

WOOHOO!

Well, I did it. I mean, I REALLY did it. I wish you guys knew, I mean REALLY knew what it was like to put 32 pages of content together in 1.5 days.

I am not one to feel particularly proud of myself. I'm not a perfectionist by any measure, but I just feel like it could always be done better. Truth be told, it could. I know when I cut corners or slack. I cannot lie to myself. It's painful not to have that quality...to be keenly aware of your shortcomings. Torture really.

But this time, I TRULY feel proud of myself! I actually cannot remember the last time I felt that way! I did it! AND I like it! I didn't half potato it, it's good!

I am taking the weekend off! (except for revisions of course)

Wouldn't it be the COOLEST if you could make LIFE revisions???

Wow, that would make a good post/story.

I forgot how much blogging my currently flowing thoughts could get my creativity going....cool!

Stream of Thought

I feel very strange with the blog open. I am glad at this moment that few know. It will be fun to see who comes along. I was thrilled by the way Lisa, that you still dropped by to check. Little warm fuzzy for me. ;)

F.A.R. (Far above Rubies) curriculum is AMAZING and so much fruit is blossoming forth from the kids. The new pared down schedule, computer and work time is working beautifully. Likely not smart that I picked up blogging again but we'll see.

A bonus that came with the curriculum is an audio book of Beautiful Girlhood. It. Is. Amazing.
And I could post for the next year just at what Sloan is TELLING me about it.
I likely will start a thread on it. Eventually.

HUGE HUGE NEWS that I cannot share. Lol (no, I'm not pg, I WISH) but basically, I made a really big contact after watching a news blurb on something cool, going to the website, emailing a kudos about what they were doing and they called me.

Fast forward to early November 09 and you will be looking at my first SERIOUS event to throw. A parenting conference. Guest speaker agreed to waive his HUGE fee so the other speaker could collect and well, lots of details to come. Campaign comes out in our Back to School issue so you'll just have to WAIT!

Yes, I consider the Family Fun Fest a big event but this one just has more serious stuff. To put it eloquently. I'm SO excited!!!

Oh, that means you will soon know that like most parenting mags, we will for the first time in LFM history, close for the summer. I think it is a good idea and am tempted to toy with being nervous but what's the point? I'm not.

Do you ever do that? Play the role that you really don't feel but should be normal to feel so you do? That's how I feel. I should be nervous about not putting out 2 issues but I just am not. I am confident that we will not be forgotten. And will likely be even bigger by the time summer closes down.

You do realize that summer is upon us and you know what that means, right????

CHRISTMAS IS COMING!!!!!!!!!
can i get a woohoo?

Come on, it's FUN and you KNOW IT.

Our kittens are to die for. And here's the proof.

Congratulations Lisa!

And we're back with a gift certificate for a beautiful bouquet of flowers for the winner of our first back to blogging contest! Our first responder Lisa! Congrats Lisa!!!

You have won a bouquet of flowers from Daisy a Day Florist in Mount Dora!

Surprise.

If you are reading this, then you are one of the first to see me back on the blog roll.

Don't expect TOO much, and I've cut my reader's list by half so let's just keep it to ourselves if you don't mind.

I've been better than ever, our family is doing well and it has been fun catching up with you all in PERSON.

But I've missed sharing thoughts as well.

So we'll see how it goes.

Would love if you left me a hello in the comment section.

First one who does wins (of course) a beautiful bouquet of flowers from Daisy a Day Flowers and Gifts.

Shalom Ya'll.

Stream of Thought

Hello there brethren.

Jeff took ALL the girls to Vero since I have to have LFM done by Monday. It is slooooooooooow going. I had to take a break as I have been at it since about well, you do NOT want to know. The stupid production schedule got moved up so we went into emergency mode and they are gone and I have to miss church and it was my time to serve so that is let down to others PLUS I have to WORK.

For those of you who don't have to work, APPRECIATE it. APPRECIATE your husbands that do work hard. I think the majority of us take it for granted. I have always appreciated how hard Jeff has worked and thought he worked harder than many and now we both work harder than I ever thought possible even! That's what we get for thinking we were in early retirement!!! LOL We both talked about how great it would be when I got back to just SERVING the family. And boy, I was pretty good at it then but just WAIT baby.

Deb came by with coffee (THANKS DEB) but really it was just a ploy to see her little triplets. I sucked down that Joe in 3 secs flat. Did you notice that Deb? Maybe I'll rate a LARGE next time. ;)

It is weird being in the house alone. I am so NOT alone most of the time. Right now, I am completely alone. But NOT lonely.

Sloan and I have been (GASP) TEXTING back and forth. We are not a texting family so it takes like 30 minutes for me to write: luv u. I am getting faster though.
I have her so indoctrinated to my cultish ways of no ridiculous techno-culture that it seems a little taboo to us both I think. But harmless since I know she won't be racking up 14,000 texts this month.

It's kind of the fun thing about having the kids that we do. All the "bad" stuff that they get never gets used in a "bad" way. It's quite funny.
Rachel has veggie tales on her ipod and Sloan has Doug's sermons.

I went for a pedicure today for my break and got thinking as she hurt me a time or two that pedis should not HURT! Then she massaged me and put hot towels on me and I thought of an analogy that it is kinda like God's Word. You don't want it to HURT. But sometimes it does...but mostly it is gentle and feels good...but sometimes a little something needs a little clip here or a clip there and there is pain but then you are left better than before. Pretty good huh? Trust me, the way I had it in my head was much more graphic but I am working on the kinder, gentler me.

Being alone always gets me "jonesing" for my NY life. How WEIRD is that? I have not had duck pate since I left NYC!!!! (I know the accent goes on pate but have NEVER been able to find out how to do it) BTW- it is pronouced patay, but you know that. Anyway, appetizers and fine champagne don't seem to be on the menu for me anymore. I know that sounds ridiculous but you would have to have lived it to truly understand what a fine pate tastes like...or the best steak your lips ever touched...or coffee and the NY Times without a call for Mom interrupting, or a long retreat with some serious teaching...it is amazing. Isn't it AMAZING about 'triggers'? That just my being alone reminds me of that?

But boy, do I miss my kids. Typical Mom. Just like Misty. (see cat post below) Get a kid, throw the rest of the good life straight out the window.

Have you seen that new Pledge product?? It cleans EVERYTHING! Stainless steel, wood, counters, glass???? I cannot wait to try it.

My highly dysfunctional Mom took Sloan grocery shopping at Sam's to the tune of $400.00. She is going to send home with them likely every food we do not eat and lots that we do. This is how she has always showed affection or made up for something she did wrong. This is the first time she has seen the kids since we decided it was healthier to not be a part of her life right now. (about 3-4 months) and her taking them to dinner and shopping has reminded me of years past and made me feel extremely sorry for her. But still not enough to engage in further dysfunction.


I'm hungry. But I have to go back to work.


See ya.

Jackalope anyone?

We have successfully pulled the wool over Lake County's eyes! Lol

We ran a story on Jackalopes in April's issue with a cover tease that read: Eustis Family Reveals Amazing Secret!

Here's the story:

Eustis Family Raises and Sells Jackalopes!

The famed Jackalope has arrived in Lake County! The family of the Jackalope boasts a variety of species including a flying variation that looks like a cross between the standard Jackalope and a chicken. The Jackalope originates from Wall, South Dakota. The Jackalope has always been difficult to breed since Jackalopes will only breed during electrical storms that include hail, explaining its rarity. But Palio Flors of Eustis says that he has discovered a secret technique in breeding.
This Eustis family has made a go of breeding the original species that first originated in the American West, right here in Central Florida.
Palio claims that Jackalopes are very friendly but extremely shy unless approached. Female Jackalopes can be milked as they sleep belly up Palio says, and the milk can be used for a variety of medicinal purposes. He says that the Jackalope can convincingly imitate any sound, including the human voice which makes them highly valuable. It uses this ability to elude pursuers, chiefly by using phrases that sound amazingly like "There he goes!” In some parts of the United States it is said that Jackalope meat has a taste similar to lobster but Palio discourages this practice. He was raised around Jackalopes since he was a youngster and considers them domestic friends.
He now is ready to shed the light on this well kept secret. “I’ve been waiting for just the right time.” claims Palio. “I have built up a stock and am ready to sell!”
If you want more information on how you can own your very own Jackalope, contact Palio at
Palioflors@gmail.com

Well, Lake County did not disappoint. We created a false email address and we have been receiving emails about our famed Jackalopes.

We have been responding with:

Unscramble my name to reveal a famous April Holiday and you can receive your very own Jackalope! Palio Flors

We even had one poor TEACHER along with her entire 4th grade class write in asking for one for a class pet! (Yikes, we won't be revealing HER name! lol) and I tell you, this has been the most fun we've had yet. If we go out in June, it will have to be a CLIFF HANGER! Ideas welcome!

See Ya!